Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka has announced that Ratu Wiliame Katonivere will be the nominee for Fiji’s President. In a statement, the Prime Minister indicated that the election for the President is scheduled for a special session of Parliament at the end of October.
Rabuka mentioned that he had withdrawn his previous nominee due to discomfort surrounding certain candidates for the presidency. He noted that Speaker Ratu Naiqama Lalabalavu had requested clarification on the doubts raised before making the nomination, particularly concerning allegations against the President.
The Prime Minister stated that the Fiji Independent Commission Against Corruption (FICAC) has confirmed that the investigation files related to the complaints against the President have been closed. He explained that the preliminary inquiry involved the Financial Intelligence Unit and the financial information provided regarding Ratu Wiliame was sufficient to refute the allegations.
Rabuka added that FICAC also verified the declared Assets and Liabilities in the FIU report and concluded that there is no evidence to support the allegations made by the complainant. He confirmed that the investigation files have been officially closed.