Whatever the precise reasons that have prompted the Prime Minister, Sitiveni Rabuka, to seize control of the Fiji National University from his Education Minister, Aseri Radrodro, it has given the new People First Party of former Frank Bainimarama loyalists a gold-plated issue to run with on the same day it was formally registered.
The election race is well and truly on. And if what Grubsheet has been told is true, it is People First versus Family First, not so much the People’s Alliance, if Rabuka’s true motivation for seizing FNU is because his daughter and sister – who are on the staff – are being disadvantaged in an ongoing power play for control.
We’re still trying to get to the bottom of this murky saga ( see our previous article and the comments section there). But whatever the precise truth, two things are certain:
1/ Stripping Fiji’s home-grown university from the Education Minister and SODELPA leader is a major provocation that threatens SODELPA’s role in the Coalition. The fact is that Sitiveni Rabuka no longer needs SODELPA. He has the former FijiFirst MPs who defected from the Opposition to join him in government and the numbers to stay there without Aseri Radrodro, for whom he already bears a personal grudge for having almost beaten his daughter to death in a domestic violence incident more than a decade ago.
The story now is that Radrodro has been working behind the scenes with elements at FNU who want to remove the same daughter, along with Rabuka’s sister, from the FNU staff, or at least reduce their influence. And that the Prime Minister is using this as a pretext not only to seize control of the University but trigger a confrontation with SODELPA that removes it from the government and robs it of the benefits of incumbency in the election lead-up. The theory is that with SODELPA gone, Rabuka has better chance of making the People’s Alliance the party of choice for indigenous Fijians.
2/ We suddenly have a genuine contest with the registration of People First – the party of former FijiFirst MPs led by the Opposition Leader,Inia Seruiratu, and including such respected figures as Jone Usamate and Premila Kumar. It is going to be People First head-to-head with the People’s Alliance in the election lead-up. And if, as expected, those who remained loyal to the core values of FijiFirst have the backing of Frank Bainimarama – and can attract more star candidates – they can expect a wave of support when voting day comes, especially from those who supported FijiFirst last time and gave it more votes in 2022 than any other party.
It is striking that while Inia Seruiratu and Jone Usamate are the faces of People First in some of the media coverage of its formal registration, its two nominated Vice Presidents are Indo-Fijian. So People First – in stark contrast to the PAP (or is it Family First?) – is a genuine multiracial party. And with Biman Prasad’s NFP on the nose for its perceived betrayal of minority interests, many non-indigenous voters are going to be attracted to People First because they have stayed true to the fundamental FijiFirst values of a common and equal citizenry and a common identity. And are, so far at least, the most tempting choice for non-indigenous Fijians alarmed by the government’s overtly racist policies.
People First have hit the ground running with a strong statement from Premila Kumar over Rabuka’s takeover of FNU. Inia Seruiratu, as leader, has to start displaying some of the same political grunt. In colloquial terms, “get some mongrel in him”. The People’s Alliance is vulnerable and People First has a clear opportunity to cut through. But it needs to be more politically savvy and pro-active.
This is a good start:
The government’s spin on why cutting the Education Minister out of FNU was necessary. Yet as always, there’s another story lurking with the crocodiles in the murky pond. For the moment, clear as mud. But all will undoubtedly be revealed.
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A potential game-changer on the same day.
POSTSCRIPT:
It is to be hoped that the Fijian mainstream media finally does its duty and gives the Opposition leader and his new party proper coverage in the election lead-up instead of ignoring their statements.
The media needs to be more aware of the possibility that this time next year, People First (perhaps in coalition with others) could be the government. And in the nature of these things, there will be a reckoning and scores to settle.
The likes of “Poo-poo” Parkinson at CFL-Fiji Village need a change of underwear. And the Motibhai Patels at the Fiji Times and CJ Patels at the Fiji Sun also need to clean up their act and temper their pro-Coalition bias. Because it is an immutable fact of democratic politics that the roosters of today can easily be the feather dusters of tomorrow.
People First will struggle to reach the 5% threshold without the active campaigning of Bainimarama in the lead up to voting. And even if Bainimarama campaigns as if he is going to become PM if the party successfully forms government, the chances of the party reaching the 28 seat majority without having the number of Bainimarama to vote for also hinders the chances of the party. All in all, multiple parties will likely have to join together to form government AGAIN.
Frank all the way.
To be frank, all the collation of the unwilling is interested in is unravelling what Fiji First did – both the good and the bad.
They are not interested in nation building – only ethnic cleansing and polarisation.
GD, my spelling is correct 😮
It’s good that the People First Party has been formed and announced. At least voters are now assured of an alternative because PAP has made a mess of running the country.
To analogize, PAP leader Rabuka has taken a big shit in his diaper which has created not only a big mess but a major stink. Voters are holding their noses and keeping their distance.
That’s the price for electing an old and feeble leader who simply doesn’t have it. Only good for overseas trips, frequent flyer points and sucking taxpayers and the country dry. In other words, a parasite.
Interesting how Rabuka’s family politics has spilled out into government and how it is influencing national level decisions.
While I sympathise with what his daughter went through, the matter was a personal one and if Aseri is still holding grudges about a personal matter and using it as a basis to make national/ministerial decisions, it only serves to reinforce the fact that this uneven three legged coalition really needs to go.
With the PM now directing the FNU reporting line to himself, does no one see a conflict of interest here? This is running parallels to when Biman became Finance Minister and gifted his wife a “government grant” over $1 million FJD using the “Pacific Polytechnic” as the excuse.
I wish People First all the luck in the next elections and sincerely hope they’re a mighty movement to topple this extremely racist and corrupt government. May the people of Fiji wake up and realise that this party is probably the right path to restoring their country back to its former glory.
1. NFP will be completely wiped out.
2. Next Government will be PAP + People First.
3. Labour and Sodelpa will be in opposition.
4. Again, NFP will be completely wiped out.
Many have been waiting for the emergence of a replacement for Fiji First and the registration People First, with former members currently in Parliament leading and a broad church of members signals a change in the political landscape.
The election is now less than year away and the current Government (PAP, NFP & SODELPA) continue to be mired in corruption, incompetence and infighting. Ministers charged by FICAC and clear evidence of nepotism, patronage and possibly financial misuse or appropriation.
All the new party need to do is keep exposing the rot, the incompetence and the rorts. Campaigning on these and focus on those who let it happen and the age and growing signs of senility of Rabuka would be my suggestion
In the wings is the former PM Frank Bainimarama, a man admired across racial lines and one who could, if he campaigned for People First candidates, attract wide support. His no-nonsense response to incompetence is well known, particularly in rural Fiji, as was his decisive dealing with questions and problems raised.
As for those who took the 30 pieces of silver and left Fiji First to join PAP your days are numbered the electors have little time for those who change to suit where the money is, abandoning those who elected them.
Hello Premila/Usamate/Inia- Please get Bainimarama’s endorsement to get votes and at all cost avoid Khaiyum, who was the main downfall of Fiji First. Bai still has huge support on the ground.
People First should NOT have Kai style politics of being surrounded by aunty rewa dairy Nur Bano, fisherman Mahmoood Khan, chor accountant Zaririn Khan, corrupt Sannjay Kaba, mad woman Fay Yee, druggie musa, Volkswagen Riyaz Khaiyum and many others
Without Khaiyum, the circus that is the current government would be nothing compared to what a People First government would get up to. What the country needs from its government is stability, or at least an outward appearance of stability covering the inside rot and chaos.
That is what the coalition government has so far failed to portray, with the monthly airing of dirty laundry. This is what FijiFirst avoided doing for the majority of its time in office, which is what a top down two-man rule achieves, as seen with the collapse of FijiFirst after losing.
Kaiyum is not God to stop scandals as he himself has created lots of scandals himself such as filling his own pocket with use of various conduits (tender process abuse through sanjjay kaba, aunty nur bano Rewa dairy scandal, etc). Kai is bloody arrogant bastarrd. Any good Prime Minister who allows smooth operation of independent organizations (Police, FICAC, Auditor General) will effectively manage any scandal.
So, never think Kai is God to provide stable leadership. Kai was creating fear and he was mastermind to send thousands of people home at a time when they needed him most.
Oh another unhinged racist/buffoon who operates in parallel universe where truth does not matter. Nothing like feeding into another false narrative.
Oh yes also telling Temo how to do his job. Put khaiyum in and bugger the law and evidence. New Fiji.
Has this joker followed khaiyum and saneem’s case?
It was a joke. The bigger joke was nancy. No credible Prosecutor, which includes being objective and independent would have brought this matter to the court in the first place. No credible judge would have said that there is a case to answer.
So as GD has already shown that temo and Nancy are scratching each other’s back, what do you think Temo will do when he delivers his judgement next month? If he judges that khaiyum and saneem are guilty then we put the final nail in the coffin of Fiji. It will be free for all then because legal precedents would no longer have any value. The Constitution and the law would be meaningless. An independent judiciary would be just words and the opposite would be the practice.
But if Temo follows the constitution, legal precedent and assesses the evidence and acquits khaiyum and saneem which a 1st year objective law student knows should be the judgement, then we would know that Temo is asserting his independence. It would help him salvage his credibility and reputation both within and outside the judiciary.
If the new party have any grounds of winning, they need endorsement from Bainimarama to secure the Fijian votes.
They do need some good strong Indo Fijian in their team to secure the Indo Fijian votes, Still to form party on their own will be difficult.
Its good if they can shake hands with FLP, and if NFP is smart enough and Biman isn’t scared of letting go of Rabuka’s b*lls, then NFP can shake hands with People First.
Congratulations People First Party. You will give a humongous challenge to PAP and others. COALITION Govt is all about Rabuka, his racial discrimination agenda( which chutiya Biman has no idea about), his family, his province, and the confusion around and about him.
His party will have a big jolt in the next election. They have not developed / improved anything in the past 4 years. Nothing achieved which are contained in their manifestos. Hopeless Government. Time to say bye bye and face the many investigations waiting for you all.
It is interesting to note Karavaki’s comments about disciplinary procedures against FNU VC Baba. If this has any credibility, reassignment of FNU under Rabuka is a win for ethno-nationalism and racism that has been blatantly underway at FNU for sometime under Baba. Of course this is aligned to Rabuka’s overall agenda of sidelining minorities especially Indo-Fijians.
Any reference to Rabuka,s daughter and sister is a tactful diversion.
This has been happening under Baba where all senior and executive positions are being given to i-Taukeis with a sprinkling of Africans, Indians (from mainland India) and others (who have long surpassed their use by date)retained to show a tinge of diversity. Ironically, it was Baba who used Karavaki to propel herself into the highest position and began the unashamed crusade on recruitment based on race, ethnicity and cronyism. Maybe she was trying to finish the incomplete mission of her late husband Tupeni Baba, (may he RIP). But that is another story!
The laughable endorsement of Rabuka’s move by Radrodro, following on the heals of Vosarogo, is a desperate attempt by SODELPA to remain relevant and in government. How low and devoid of any principle or values can Aseri stoop to to save his position.
You underestimate the influence of the quiet spoken genteel sister. She was up to similar sheningans when at usp. She is very close to the niece, so double trouble. They have been active enablers of Baba. What a shame because Tupeni Baba in Bavadra government was highly respected.
@ Message to People First you are absolutely right about Minister of Everything Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum, his younger brother Volkswagen Riyaz Khaiyum and other fellow co-religionists who benefited personally and were like bakewa feeding of the spoils of power and privilege.
Aiyaz developed God syndrome and thought he would never lose an election. Especially after the mullah described him as Maharajah of Fiji.
The maharaja removed royal holidays from Fiji annual calendar and Queen Elizabeth from our currency just to please his father. He was on the verge of removing the union Jack from the Fiji flag for the same reason if not for the public backlash.
Aiyaz and Riyaz behave like Fiji belonged to their father, such was their God complex. Imagine trying to change the flag for his father. Bastards.
They hated the British because of Islamic beliefs – the British ended Mogul rule in India and also took part in the war on terrorism plus they were a US ally in Afghanistan in Iraq. For these reasons. Riyaz and Aiyaz pious father hated the British and wanted to remove the public holidays currency images with British heritage. But if you put it to them, of course, they will deny it. Closet Islamists are really good at acting innocent.
It is because of Aiyaz that Fiji Indians are facing a backlash. The Minister of everything just went overboard.
Little brother Riyaz acted like he owned FBC or it was his father’s property. The Volkswagen Riyaz tried to gift himself while at FBC is an example of the profligate tendencies they developed at the expense of the taxpayer. The huge salary he was receiving at FBC was not enough. Bloody greedy a*shole.
Aiyaz is responsible for Fiji’s huge, external debt burden. Many of the projects were unnecessary or exceeded their budget and critics suspect they were a front for kickbacks. Study the Sri Lankan model and you’ll be shocked by the parallels with Fiji under the FijiFirst government.
The quantity of many of the projects are really poor and shoddy, for example Albert park pavilion, for which we paid a fortune, but the design and the materials used are really cheap quality in the place is already falling apart. There are many other such infrastructure in which there’s been a huge amount of wastage of taxpayer funds.
It will be a fine day Fiji when arrogant Aiyaz and Volkswagen Riyaz are found guilty and end up in jail.
People First should not go anywhere near Aiyaz or Riyaz or they are doomed.
Education in Fiji must be protected from short‑term political manoeuvring if the country is serious about nation‑building and long‑term prosperity. The latest move to reassign Fiji National University (FNU) under the Prime Minister’s portfolio, reportedly triggered by a family-related dispute, risks further eroding public trust in the higher education system at a time when Fiji can least afford it.
Keep politics out of universities: Fiji already struggles with skills shortages, brain drain, and uneven educational outcomes, all of which depend heavily on a stable, credible university sector. When ministerial portfolios and governance arrangements are changed by verbal instructions and without transparent justification grounded in law and policy, it sends a chilling message to staff, students, and international partners that universities are political playthings rather than public institutions serving the nation.
Universities must be allowed to operate through their duly constituted councils and leadership, as set out in their establishing legislation, rather than through ad hoc directives that bypass statutory frameworks. Political interference—whether perceived or real—undermines institutional autonomy, discourages honest internal critique, and ultimately lowers educational quality for every Fijian family with a child in school today.
Rule of law and university autonomy: The Fiji National University Act clearly places oversight with the minister responsible for tertiary education, not under a discretionary verbal reassignment to another portfolio. Unilateral shifts of control that sidestep the Act raise serious rule‑of‑law concerns and risk normalising executive overreach into academic governance.
Around the world, credible universities depend on a basic compact: governments set broad policy and funding parameters, but do not intrude into day‑to‑day governance, appointments, and internal investigations. Once that compact is broken, it becomes harder to attract and retain high‑calibre academics, students, and partners who can choose to go elsewhere in the region or globally.
Long‑term national harm: If Fiji allows its universities to become sites of political contest, the consequences will be felt first in deteriorating program quality, loss of international recognition, and fewer opportunities for graduates. Over time, this weakens the country’s capacity in health, engineering, teaching, public service, and innovation—precisely the sectors that underpin economic resilience and social cohesion.
A politicised university sector also jeopardises external collaborations and donor confidence, as partners look for evidence of academic freedom, stable governance, and predictable policy environments before investing. Once reputation is damaged, rebuilding it takes decades, not years, and Fiji risks falling even further behind its regional neighbours in higher education and research performance.
Acknowledge principled leadership: Voices across the political spectrum who insist that “education is too important to be politicised” are offering exactly the type of leadership Fiji needs now. Publicly questioning the legality and wisdom of the FNU takeover, and calling for respect for the FNU Act and proper process, is not obstruction—it is a defence of institutional integrity and the national interest.
Leaders who stand for quality, independence, and good governance in higher education—whether in government or opposition—deserve recognition and support, because they are safeguarding the engine room of Fiji’s future development. Their example shows that it is possible to be pro‑education, pro‑development, and firmly opposed to opportunistic interference at the same time.
A respectful call to action: This is a respectful but urgent appeal to all politicians and decision‑makers:
Honour the letter and spirit of the FNU Act and related laws when dealing with universities, and reverse any measures that are not clearly grounded in statute.
Commit publicly that university councils will be allowed to perform their duties without improper pressure, especially on appointments, investigations, and internal reviews.
Engage in transparent, consultative reform where needed, rather than sudden directives that undermine confidence and fuel perceptions of family or partisan interests.
Fiji’s children and grandchildren will live with the consequences of today’s decisions about higher education. Prayers and goodwill must now be matched by courage, restraint, and vision so that universities remain sacrosanct centres of learning and innovation, not casualties of short‑term, self-serving politics.
God bless our Fiji and our people.
A great narrative by ‘Impolitic’, but I am afraid has almost zero impact on the buffoons running these institutions or the country.
Remember how USP sweltered under Pal who appointed people who he felt would tow his line and kept many capable academics at bay for fear of being underwhelmed. Of course his biggest backers were people like Biman Prasad, Mahend Reddy and the then leadership of Samoa and Nauru. Now we gather Pal is doing consultancies for these governments. And while he has gone, a new set of ambitious nincompoops like Walter Fraser, Jito Vanualailai etc are apparently running the show at USP with no timetable for the appointment of a new VC.
Rabuka knows he cannot prevail at USP and has seized the opportunity at FNU to continue on his reckless and unashamed path of indigenous supremacy. Unaisi Baba is his weapon and underneath her smiles and superficial outlook likes the bigger agenda that is aligned to Rabuka’s unfinished 1987 business.