Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka announced on Friday that he would be meeting former FijiFirst and Opposition MPs this weekend. This development comes after 26 former FijiFirst MPs became party-less following the recent de-registration of FijiFirst by the Registrar of Political Parties, Ana Mataiciwa.
Rabuka noted that Opposition MP Mosese Bulitavu had requested an audience on behalf of the group, and the meeting is set to occur over the weekend. The primary purpose of this meeting is to discuss the political status of the Opposition MPs and explore how they can effectively fulfill their parliamentary responsibilities.
“I’m meeting them this weekend. It’s just a group request from Mo,” Rabuka said.
Earlier in the week, Rabuka expressed his openness to various options and emphasized the government’s commitment to fostering open discussions to collaboratively address national issues.
“Bulitavu is my nephew; we’ve been communicating since we were together in SODELPA and that continues,” he added.
Meanwhile, former FijiFirst Opposition member Aliki Bia, now serving as an Independent MP, expressed his support for the People’s Alliance/National Federation Party and the SODELPA-led Coalition Government. Bia, a former journalist, stated on Friday that he was open to any responsibilities offered by Rabuka.
“I am open to any opportunity of responsibility offered by the Prime Minister,” Bia said. “I’ve consulted with my family and my voters, and if I am offered opportunities to help the Government govern the people of Fiji, I’ll be more than ready and willing to give my support.”
Bia joins other Opposition MPs, including Penioni Ravunawa, Viliame Naupoto, Ketan Lal, Mosese Bulitavu, and Semi Koroilavesau, in this new political chapter.