Deputy Prime Minister Manoa Kamikamica has reaffirmed his support for Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka’s leadership, dismissing speculation about divisions within The People’s Alliance party (PAP) as the Coalition Government prepares for the next election.
Responding to questions on The Fiji Times online portal The Lens@177 about reports of a faction within PAP and whether his return to the Deputy Prime Ministership had created tensions within the party, he said his priority was to serve the party and support the Prime Minister, who remains its leader.
“At the moment, the Prime Minister is our leader,” he said.
“Everybody is working behind him to get things done.”
He acknowledged that there may be individuals who hold grievances against him, but said such issues were not his immediate concern.
“There will always be people perhaps that envy you or whatever, but that’s not where my concern is.”
Mr Kamikamica said the party needed to remain focused on the approaching election and work together if it was to retain government. “We need to work together to ensure that we come back in the next four years.”
His comments follow the Prime Minister’s recent description of Mr Kamikamica as the “chosen one” and potential heir should anything happen to him. Mr Kamikamica said he was flattered by the remarks but maintained that nothing in politics was guaranteed.
He was also questioned about criticism directed at him on social media and suggestions that some people within political circles may hold grudges against him.
Mr Kamikamica said he was aware of the criticism but did not consider it a significant threat to the party.
Asked whether he was one of the “crocodiles” referred to by Rabuka in his now-famous comments to Justice Ashton-Lewis, Mr Kamikamica said: “Well, I hope not.”
He said every PAP Cabinet minister remained supportive of the Prime Minister.
“We have full confidence in his leadership.”
