I pray for a government that will lead Fiji with love and unity.
This was the plea of 93-year-old Tui Vuda Ratu Eparama Tavaiqia after being among the first to cast their votes at the Vuda District polling station in Lautoka yesterday.
“Au vakavinavinaka vua na Kalou ni solia tu na draki vinaka nikua me da mai qarava dua nai tavi bibi nikua. (I’m grateful to God for giving us a good weather for us to fulfil our purpose today,” he said.
“Na siga nikua dua na siga bibi vei keda na lewei Viti. Au kerea vei keda na lewei Viti me da digitaka dua na matanitu o koya e tiko vua na veilomani. “(Today is an important day for the people of Fiji. I ask that we choose a government that will care for us.)
“Sa noqu masu me dua na matanitu ena liutaki keda e na loloma kei na kauti keda vata mai na lewei Viti. “I pray for a government that will lead Fiji with love and unite us.”
Joined by his wife Adi Senitiki Tavaiqia, the Tui Vuda said he was hopeful that the next government would not only represent iTaukei people but also every other ethnic group in the country.