Pio Tikoduadua and Jone Usamate clash on why Tikoduadua left FijiFirst

Pio Tikoduadua and Jone Usamate clash on why Tikoduadua left FijiFirst

By Iva Danford
28/07/2020

The President of the National Federation Party and MP Pio Tikoduadua says he left FijiFirst because he did not want to be a Yes Man, however the Minister for Infrastructure Jone Usamate says Tikoduadua may be lying now or may have lied before as he had earlier said that he had resigned due to health reasons.

While speaking during the 2020/2021 National Budget debate, Tikoduadua highlighted that he is glad that he quit after only 9 months, because his conscience could not allow him to serve two masters who were scratching each other’s backs while the nation and its people were being led up the garden path.


Jone Usamate says when Tikoduadua resigned in 2014, he made a public statement that it was due to his health conditions, but did not mention anything about the leadership of the Prime Minister or the Attorney General.

Tikoduadua also highlighted that he has in his possession an email allegedly given to him by the Prime Minister that was sent to him by the Attorney General on 15th December 2013.

He says the entire email contained the Attorney General’s concerns about the need to re-look at the GDP base after the figures released by the Fiji Bureau of Statistics estimated the 2012 growth to 1.7% when a growth of 2.2% was announced in the budget. Tikoduadua says he was the Permanent Secretary at the Prime Minister’s Office at the time. In that email the Attorney General is raising concern on how the GDP base is calculated by the Fiji Bureau of Statistics.

While responding to the allegations made by Tikoduadua, Usamate says he has read the email and there is nothing sinister being suggested in it but Tikoduadua is interpreting it to suit his own agenda.

Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum is expected to respond to these matters in his Right of Reply in parliament later this morning.



FEATURE NEWS
Flying Fijians coach says he’s looking forward to seeing their scrum perform today
Fiji Water Flying Fijians Coach Mick Byrne says their scrum is one of the areas that they have been working on, and forwards coach Graham Dewes has do...
2 hours ago
LATEST NEWS
Suspect in Samabula Shiv Mandir desecration case referred for psychiatric evaluation
The suspect who allegedly entered and desecrated the Sanatan Shiv Mandir in Samabula yesterday afternoon has been referred for a psychiatric ...
2 hours ago

Govind Park to reopen on 31st July after major redevelopment
Good news as after not hosting any major event since 2016, a redeveloped Govind Park in Ba will finally open on the 31st of this month. Chair of ...
2 hours ago

FRA targets smarter spending and stronger delivery in new infrastructure plans
Fiji Roads Authority focus’s on the infrastructure of the Tamavua I Wai Bridge, Vunikura, and Korolevu upgrades. A workshop was held at Pasifika ...
2 hours ago

Ratu Tevita’s installation reinforces iTaukei values - Ro Teimumu
As the installation of Ratu Tevita Uluilakeba Mara as the Tui Nayau, Sau ni Vanua ko Lau, na Tui Lau comes to an end, the Marama Bale na Roko Tui ...
4 hours ago

We won’t let them win, we will live together in peace - Alvick Maharaj
This kind of hate and disrespect for religion has no place in our community. These actions are meant to scare us and divide us, but we won't let ...
5 hours ago



fijivillage Straight Talk with Vijay Narayan
Latest Videos

Stay tuned for the latest news on our radio stations

CFL radio frequencies
IN DEPTH
Professor Prasad on fijivillage Straight Talk With Vijay Narayan
The show will focus on the 2025/2026 National Budget.
3 days ago

Tui Nayau and Tui Lau Installation
The ceremony for the installation of the Tui Nayau Sau ni Vanua o Lau will be held tomorrow, while the installation ceremony of the Tui Lau will be held in Tubou on Thursday.
5 days ago

CFL 40th Birthday
CFL’s 40th Anniversary celebrations to culminate with free concert at Albert Park on ...
8 days ago

TOP