Ratu Wiliame decided to decline my nomination after he saw an internal audit and investigation report - PM

Prime Minister, Sitiveni Rabuka confirms that President Ratu Wiliame Katonivere decided to decline Rabuka's nomination of him to serve a second term of three years as President of Fiji after he saw an internal audit and investigation report.

We had asked Rabuka on whether he had met Ratu Wiliame in Auckland last week and advised him that he was withdrawing Ratu Wiliame's nomination, and for him to formally withdraw.

fijivillage News has gathered that Rabuka met with Ratu Wiliame for about 10 minutes in a meeting room at a hotel in Auckland.

We also asked Rabuka how did Ratu Naiqama's name come in as a nomination for President.

While responding to our questions, Rabuka said he informed Ratu Wiliame Katonivere that an Internal Audit and an Internal Investigation Report was reported to him by the Board Chairperson of three Government Companies Ratu Wiliame had served on.

Rabuka says these were then subjected to forensic reexamination and to the Attorney General for advice on whether to prosecute or not.

He says it was then that Ratu Wiliame felt he should decline the Prime Minister's nomination of him.

Rabuka says after that, he called Ratu Naiqama Lalabalavu, who has served Fiji well in his various careers as well as in his role as the paramount chief of Cakaudrove, considering his position in the conventional National Order of Precedence, if he would accept Rabuka's nomination.

He says having secured that, he informed Cabinet and his Party Leadership and Caucus on Tuesday.

We have asked what is the next step regarding the internal audit and internal investigation report. He is yet to respond.