Nine former FijiFirst party members have pledged their support to Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka after a private meeting held at the Tanoa Plaza Hotel in Suva. The members in attendance included Mosese Bulitavu, Aliki Bia, Ratu Josaia Niudamu, Penioni Ravunawa, Ioane Naivalurua, Naisa Tuinaceva, Alipate Tuicolo, Taito Rokomatu, and Viliame Naupoto, who was excused from the meeting.
Following the meeting, Bulitavu announced that the group would act as “cross-bench MPs” in support of the Prime Minister. “Given that we have aligned ourselves with the Prime Minister, so our narrative for the budget we were trying to finalise, so our speech is aligned and consistent with the Prime Minister’s position,” Bulitavu stated. He added that they might form a third bloc in Parliament and would notify the Speaker of their position through a letter the following day.
Bulitavu also mentioned the possibility of two additional Opposition members joining their group.
Prime Minister Rabuka confirmed the support of the eight members, stating, “They have indicated that they will all support me as Independent.” He noted that discussions during the meeting explored potential scenarios involving the MPs and the Government as the MPs move forward as an independent body.