Mahendra Chaudhry, Leader of the Fiji Labour Party and former Prime Minister, expressed his condolences on the passing of Dr. Tupeni Baba. Chaudhry recalled Dr. Baba as a source of strength and support during the turmoil of 2000. Chaudhry noted that Dr. Baba, who was his Deputy Prime Minister at the time, maintained communication through notes, providing valuable opinions and advice on important issues.
Dr. Baba was a founding member of the Fiji Labour Party, serving as Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs in the Labour-led government of 1999. He also held the position of Minister for Education, Youth, and Sports in the 1987 Bavadra Government, which was ousted after a month in a coup led by Sitiveni Rabuka.
Dr. Baba later separated from the Fiji Labour Party to form the New United Labour Party and contested the 2001 general election. He experienced captivity during the coups of 1987 and 2000. In 1987, he was detained by Lt. Col Rabuka and kept under house arrest for six days along with Dr. Bavadra and other Cabinet members. During the 2000 coup, he and other ministers, including Prime Minister Chaudhry, were held hostage at gunpoint for 56 days.
Chaudhry praised Dr. Baba’s courage and resilience, noting that he refused to succumb to intimidation by armed soldiers. Despite being separated along racial lines during the 2000 crisis, Dr. Baba managed to stay informed and in touch about ongoing developments. Known for his affable personality and advocacy for social justice, Dr. Baba did not participate in the 1992 and 1994 general elections due to the discriminatory 1990 Constitution.
Chaudhry emphasized Dr. Baba’s significant contributions to the early years of the Labour Party and his lasting legacy. He extended the party’s heartfelt condolences to Dr. Baba’s wife, Dr. Unaisi Nabobo-Baba, and the rest of the family.