A rift within the People’s Alliance Party emerged during its general assembly in Lautoka yesterday, as members raised concerns about the party’s position on the nomination of Fiji’s next President. Supporters at Hotel 2000 questioned whether a nominee had been proposed, considering the current President’s term is nearing its end.
President Ratu Wiliame Katonivere was appointed by the FijiFirst government on October 22, 2021, and was officially sworn in a month later. According to the 2013 Constitution, Fiji’s President is appointed by Parliament for a three-year term, leading to speculation about who might succeed him.
Party leader and Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka stated that no official motion to nominate a candidate had been presented at the assembly. He disclosed that after the 2022 elections, various factions attempted to apply pressure on both the President and the Republic of Fiji Military Forces (RFMF) Commander. However, Rabuka remarked that both individuals resisted such pressures and remained steadfast in their roles.
“We discussed who should take up the presidency and who would be the party’s nominee,” Rabuka noted. He added that the current President was made aware of these discussions, particularly due to the potential for social media and internal divisions to fuel the matter.
Rabuka also cautioned that nominating another candidate would be inappropriate, as no Fijian President has ever served only one term. “In deference to the previous government that appointed Tui Macuata, we should give him another term,” he stated. “He’s performed well, acted within the Constitution, and deserves our respect.”
Only a few ministers from the PA attended the meeting, including Rabuka, Manoa Kamikamica, Vatimi Rayalu, Sakiasi Tubuna, Esrom Immanuel, and Jese Saukuru.