The government is not considering any succession plan for the Prime Minister, with Cabinet maintaining that there is no urgency to address leadership matters while the legal appeal process is still underway.
Minister for Information Lynda Tabuya was asked yesterday at a press conference if the PM decides to resign, would it create a leadership vacuum.
Ms Tabuya explained that the focus remains on respecting the judicial process, noting that any appeal will take time to move through the courts.
“The appeal process is going to take some time. It will need to go to the Court of Appeal and on to the Supreme Court.”
She said until that process is exhausted, neither the governing party nor the Prime Minister will engage further on the matter.
“Until that time, the party will not address that issue, and neither will the honourable Prime Minister.
There’s no urgency to it, because the appeal process will take some time.”
Ms Tabuya confirmed that Cabinet had unanimously rejected any suggestion that the Prime Minister should resign.
“I just want to say today in Cabinet, it was a resounding sentiment that we would not accept his resignation. There is unanimous support for the honourable Prime Minister to continue to lead this country and continue to lead us.”
She stressed that the legal avenues being pursued are available to every citizen and reflect the proper functioning of Fiji’s justice system.
“The issue of what has been before the courts and may continue to be through the appeal process is what is available under the law to the Prime Minister and to every Fijian.”
Ms Tabuya reiterated the government’s respect for the rule of law and the separation of powers.
“It is the rule of law, and we respect the rule of law. We respect the process. Certainly, the executive is separate from the judiciary. This really demonstrates that there is no interference by the executive in the judiciary.”
While acknowledging the High Court’s decision, she said the government would lawfully pursue the appeal options available.
“We respect the decision of the High Court, and of course, we will be able to access what is legally available to the honourable Prime Minister in terms of the appeal process.”
