A proposal by The People’s Alliance Party (PAP) in December 2022 included an offer for former SODELPA leader Ro Teimumu Kepa to become President of Fiji when the opportunity arose.
A letter dated December 17, 2022, sent to The Fiji Times and signed by then PAP general secretary Sakiasi Ditoka, outlined the party’s proposal for a grand coalition with the Social Democratic Liberal Party (SODELPA).
The document stated that Ro Teimumu, the Roko Tui Dreketi, would become President when the opportunity presented itself.
As a pathway to the presidency, PAP proposed offering her a diplomatic posting as Fiji’s High Commissioner to the United Kingdom, where she would await the expiry of the appointment of then-President Ratu Wiliame Katonivere in September 2024.
The letter also proposed that SODELPA leader Viliame Gavoka become one of two deputy prime ministers, with the party offered two additional ministerial portfolios.
Other proposed terms included reinstating the Great Council of Chiefs, reviewing or revoking the 2013 Constitution subject to a Supreme Court legal opinion and Cabinet advice, and repealing laws passed by the former FijiFirst government that PAP considered contrary to iTaukei interests.
The proposal also included abolishing TELS and Toppers, forgiving student debt and replacing the schemes with scholarships, repaying $90 million owed to the University of the South Pacific, and reviewing the taxation system.
PAP further proposed reinstating laws repealed by the FijiFirst government that related to iTaukei rights and seeking to unite iTaukei political parties under one banner for the 2026 general election.
However, the presidential proposal did not appear in the formal coalition agreement signed by PAP, SODELPA and the National Federation Party on December 30, 2022. The Fiji Times reported this in January 2024.
In February 2024, Ro Teimumu said the presidency had initially been offered by PAP during coalition negotiations but there had been no further discussions. She also said she was not a contender for the position and expressed support for Ratu Wiliame.
The December 2022 letter provides documentary evidence that the offer was made during coalition negotiations, while the subsequent formal agreement did not include a commitment to appoint her President.
