Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka has praised the National Federation Party (NFP) as Fiji’s longest-serving political party, highlighting its resilience and commitment to the nation. During the NFP Annual Convention, he noted that at 61 years old, the party has played a crucial role in Fiji’s development, from its pre-independence days under the late A.D. Patel, to its representation in the Legislative Council during the 1960s, and now as part of the Coalition Government he leads.
Rabuka expressed his trust in the NFP, particularly in its leader, Professor Biman Prasad. He emphasized that this Coalition Government is the first in Fiji’s history to govern for over a year, acknowledging that, like any family, coalitions can face challenges. However, he stressed that focus and determination set experienced leaders apart.
The Prime Minister also shared his historical connection with the NFP, which deepened through his friendship with the late Party Leader, Justice Jai Ram Reddy, who passed away in August 2022. Rabuka reflected on their collaboration on the 1997 Constitution, a significant milestone for Fiji, and praised Justice Reddy for his influential address to the Great Council of Chiefs that led to the Constitution being enacted unanimously.
He lamented the abrogation of this critical legal framework on April 10, 2009, shortly after a court ruling that called for the restoration of democracy. Rabuka highlighted the 1997 Constitution’s progressive Bill of Rights, which protected fundamental rights, compared to the more restrictive provisions of the 2013 Constitution.
The Prime Minister pointed out that the 2013 Constitution’s single national constituency undermines citizens’ direct access to their elected representatives and called for a reevaluation of its provisions.