Savenaca Narube, the leader of the Unity Fiji Party and former Governor of the Reserve Bank of Fiji, has urged the Government to improve its internal cohesion. He expressed concerns that the emergence of factions within the Government or Cabinet looking to establish a new political party will not address the leadership or economic challenges currently facing the nation.
Narube’s remarks come in light of Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka’s recent announcement about factions within his party, including some Cabinet members, planning to split and create a new party by 2026.
He emphasized that the focus should not be on political parties themselves but rather on the credibility of their leaders. According to Narube, the same politicians frequently change affiliations without fundamentally altering their agendas, which primarily revolve around the pursuit of power.
Narube also criticized the trend of political leaders lacking foundational principles and acting in their own interests rather than serving the public. He noted that past behaviors suggest that politicians with such traits seldom change.
He highlighted that trust remains a critical issue in national leadership, lamenting the loss of faith in the politicians who have governed Fiji over the past two decades. Narube urged voters to be wary of long-standing politicians who may repackage themselves while remaining fundamentally unchanged. He called on the electorate to take responsibility and avoid re-electing those who have previously failed to keep their promises.
As the 2026 elections approach, Narube stressed the importance of voters exercising their democratic rights to remove untrustworthy politicians. He advocated for a leader who will genuinely transform the economy, reduce poverty, manage living costs, unify all ethnic groups, promote safety, and combat corruption, particularly at higher levels of government. He underscored the necessity of voting for a leader who inspires trust.