Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka has praised the National Federation Party (NFP) as Fiji’s longest-standing political party, emphasizing its resilience and commitment to the people. Speaking at the NFP Annual Convention, Rabuka noted that the party, which has been active for 61 years, has significantly influenced the country’s development, from its pre-independence days under the late A.D. Patel at the Constitutional Conference in the UK to its role in the Legislative Council in the 1960s. He highlighted that the NFP continues to play an essential part in the current Coalition Government.
Rabuka expressed his trust in the NFP, particularly through its leader, Professor Biman Prasad. He pointed out that the current Coalition Government is notable for being the first in years to lead Fiji for over a year, acknowledging that, like any family, coalitions face challenges but noted that determination and focus set experienced leaders apart.
The Prime Minister reflected on his strong ties with the NFP, particularly through his friendship with the late Justice Jai Ram Reddy, the former party leader who passed away in August 2022. Rabuka recalled their collaboration on the historic 1997 Constitution, which was implemented after Justice Reddy’s impactful speech to the Great Council of Chiefs and hailed globally for its emphasis on dialogue and consensus.
He lamented the abrogation of this supreme legal document on April 10, 2009, following a court ruling that democracy should be restored. Rabuka criticized the 2013 Constitution for imposing regressive restrictions on human rights compared to the 1997 version, which included key protections for group rights and aimed to de-politicize significant independent offices.
The Prime Minister mentioned that former Chief Justice Anthony Gates had highlighted the issues with the 2013 Constitution, particularly the single national constituency system, which he argued limits the public’s access to their elected representatives. He concluded by stressing the need for a thorough review of the 2013 Constitution.