Ratu Epeli Nailatikau Is Speaker of Parliament

Iam here as the servant of this house said newly appointed Speaker of Parliament Ratu Epeli Nailatikau yesterday.

The former President was elected by 30 votes to 21 to fill the role left vacant by the late Dr Jiko Luveni who was laid to rest in December last year.

The opposition party Social Democratic Liberal Party (SODELPA) had nominated lawyer Tanya Waqanika.

In a surprise move, National Federation Party’s three members- leader Biman Prasad, Pio Tikoduadua and Lenora Qereqeretabua voted for the Government nominee and against SODELPA’s nominee.

Ratu Epeli in his first address as Speaker of Parliament says he knows it’s a difficult task because he served as Speaker from 2001 to 2006. He highlighted how he was appointed Speaker of the House in 2001 in the spur of the moment after initially accompanying his wife, Adi Koila Nailatikau who was to be sworn in as a Senator. This time around, he met with Prime Minister Bainimarama and got his briefing two weeks ago.

“So I want to emphasise that I am here as the servant of this house and I look forward to working with you all.”

The Fiji Sun first revealed him as the likely Government nominee on January 7 and listed down other possible candidates and again on February 1 as the one Government would nominate for the position.

His Attire

Ratu Epeli’s attire represented what he holds dear. He wore the red and green military tie which was a tribute to his 20 years in the military. He had a HIV pin on his collar which represents his ambassadorship of UNAIDS.