Opposition Leader, Ro Teimumu Kepa has today announced that she will nominate former Army Commander and former Great Council of Chiefs Chairman, Ratu Epeli Ganilau for the President’s position.
Ro Teimumu says the SODELPA caucus met and decided that the Leader of Opposition nominee to the position of President of the Republic of Fiji, be a process of consultation and consensus between and amongst traditional chiefs as opposed to a process of numbers and voting by politicians.
Ro Teimumu says she has taken the liberty of consulting with her chiefly kinsmen, Na Gone Turaga Mai Mataiwelagi for the Kubuna confederacy, Ratu Epenisa Cakobau and na Gone Turaga Bale Na Tui Cakau, Ratu Naiqama Lalabalavu for the Tovata confederacy.
She says Ratu Epeli Ganilau’s nomination was also endorsed through the SODELPA parliamentary caucus meeting and the SODELPA management board.
The Opposition Leader says apart from holding only a Fijian citizenship, Ratu Epeli’s professional performance and leadership on the domestic and international level will be difficult to match.
Ro Teimumu adds that they are of the firm belief that as a traditional representative of the Tovata confederacy, Ratu Epeli Ganilau will have the full support of the majority of the people of Fiji.
She says the National Federation Party has been consulted at every step of this process and they agree that any process that depoliticises the process of appointment of the Head of State would be the preferred choice.
Ro Teimumu also expressed her sincere gratitude to Ratu Epeli Nailatikau, Adi Koila and their family members for performing an extremely difficult task in trying times.
Meanwhile the government is yet to announce its nomination for President.
There has been some speculation that Doctor Jiko Luveni may be nominated for the post.
However there has been no official confirmation on the nominee’s name.
Acting Prime Minister, Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum says the Prime Minister will announce the government’s nominee.
The new President will be elected by parliament next Monday.
