Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka has urged calm and respect for the rule of law following recent remarks by former Speaker Pita Nacuva suggesting the 1997 Constitution is still in force and that he retains the right to serve as Acting President.
In his regular column A Conversation with the PM, Mr Rabuka acknowledged Mr Nacuva’s long-standing service to the country, but made clear that any claims rooted in the 1997 constitution have no legal merit today.
“I respect Mr Nacuva’s views and his long service to our nation,” the Prime Minister said.
“Today, Fiji operates under the Constitution of the Republic of Fiji 2013, which is the supreme law of Fiji.
“The Constitution sets out the legal framework for governance including the Office of the President, and Speaker.”
The Prime Minister’s remarks come in direct response to questions about Mr Nacuva’s recent public assertion that the 1997 Constitution was never lawfully abrogated and remains valid.
But Mr Rabuka said the time for speculation was over.
“Any assertions or claims under the previous constitutions have no legal standing on this issue today,” he said. “This very question on the 1997 constitution is among the questions that have been put before the Supreme Court for determination and I will urge Mr Nacuva and everyone else to wait for the court’s findings.”
He called for national unity and a collective respect for Fiji’s legal order.
“I urge all Fijians to focus on building unity and stability and to respect the legal order that governs us all.”
Mr Nacuva, who served as Speaker of Parliament from 2001 to 2006, has been among a small but vocal group of individuals questioning the legitimacy of the 2013 Constitution.
