Ratu Naiqama’s nomination for Presidency must be withdrawn immediately - Ali

The nomination of Ratu Naiqama Lalabalavu to be the President of Fiji must be immediately withdrawn as he will not unite the nation but strengthen hierarchy, patriarchy and gross inequality.

Fiji Women’s Crisis Centre Coordinator, Shamima Ali highlighted this in an interview with fijivillage News and says the position of President must not be for the “boys and wrongdoers” and we can’t continue to reward coup perpetrators.

She says Ratu Naiqama has shown people time and time again that he is a misogynist and was also once suspended from Parliament for 2 years for making extremely derogatory comments against the late and former Speaker of the House, Dr Jiko Luveni and recently made racial comments.

Ali is asking where is the social cohesion that this government proclaims to stand for.

She further says the President needs to meet the moral and ethical standards of a leader we can be proud of.

FWCC is also very concerned about discussions that those nominated to be President need to be chiefs or from a particular confederacy or province.

The Coordinator adds that the will of the Fijian people must be reflected in the appointment and election of the President.