NATIONAL Federation Party president and Member of Parliament Pio Tikoduadua feels vindicated following the release of footage showing Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama allegedly assaulting him outside of Parliament earlier this month.
While speaking at the opening of the NFP annual general meeting in Lautoka today, he said he felt the video proved he was not lying about the alleged attack.
“Today, I am especially happy to state that I feel vindicated and that I no longer have to defend my honour against spurious and false lies levelled against me when I reported a violation of my parliamentary privilege as an elected member of parliament in the august House on Friday, 9 August 2019, when I was assaulted physically, verbally and mentally by the Prime Minister, Mr Bainimarama,” Mr Tikoduadua said.
“As the President of your Party, I am accountable to the AGM to tell you what happened.
“I did not lie and I am told that yesterday a video appeared on social media showing this.
“Everything in that video is as I stated in the live press conference that I gave to Fiji Times that same day, before I went to report an official complaint with the Police at Totogo.
“My parliamentary colleague, Hon Lenora Qereqeretabua is also vindicated I am sure, as an eyewitness, along with our two youth staffers, Apenisa and Dylan and Hon Suliasi Matanitobua the Tui Namosi.
“We have nothing to gain from lying about this. It happened. We are still awaiting the authorities to do their part.”
According to Police Commissioner Brigadier-General Sitiveni Qiliho, investigations into the incident continued.
