Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka has announced that Ratu Wiliame Katonivere is their candidate for the presidency of Fiji. In his statement, the Prime Minister indicated that the presidential election is slated for a special session of Parliament at the end of October.
Rabuka mentioned some concerns regarding specific nominees for the presidency, which led him to withdraw his previous nomination on Thursday. He noted that the Speaker of Parliament, Ratu Naiqama Lalabalavu, had requested clarification regarding doubts that had been raised prior to the nomination. These doubts were related to allegations against the current President, emphasizing the necessity to resolve any uncertainties.
The Prime Minister further stated that the Fiji Independent Commission Against Corruption (FICAC) has confirmed that it has closed the files related to the complaints against the President. He explained that a preliminary investigation sought help from the Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU) for financial details concerning Ratu Wiliame, and the data received was adequate to refute the allegations.
Rabuka also noted that FICAC validated the assets and liabilities declared in the FIU report, and based on the investigation’s findings, there is no evidence to support the claims made by the complainant. He concluded that the investigation files have been officially closed.