Opposition Accuses Govt of Bribery and Secret Deals
He alleged that while Mr Kamikamica labeled the Opposition as weak, it was the Government that was manipulating parliamentary processes.
Tuesday 18 March 2025 | 13:34
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Trade Manoa Kamikamica. Photo: Leon Lord
Opposition Member of Parliament Jone Usamate has strongly criticised recent remarks made by Deputy Prime Minister (DPM) Manoa Kamikamica, calling them a “dangerously brazen attempt” to shift focus away from the Government’s alleged failures and questionable tactics.
In a media statement yesterday, Mr Usamate accused the Government of engaging in bribery and secretive political dealings to push its agenda.
He alleged that while Mr Kamikamica labeled the Opposition as weak, it was the Government that was manipulating parliamentary processes.
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“The Prime Minister himself has let down Fijians through this Government that undermines the voices of citizens through sneaky and underhanded tricks,” Mr Usamate said.
He pointed specifically to text messages sent by the DPM, which he claimed were authorised by the Prime Minister, as an attempt to manipulate Opposition members and bypass genuine dialogue.
He further accused the Government of trying to amend constitutional thresholds while simultaneously offering inducements to MPs.
“Offering to lower the threshold for Constitutional amendments while attempting to bribe members of Parliament is not leadership it is desperation,” he said
Mr Usamate also claimed that two MP’s have already accepted these alleged inducements, raising questions about possible ministerial appointments as rewards for their compliance.
He said that such actions undermine democratic values and are an “insult” to all Fijians who value transparency and integrity in governance.
He called for a leadership approach that fosters trust and respects the people’s voices rather than relying on coercion.
“The Opposition remains steadfast in our commitment to protecting the integrity of our Constitution and ensuring that any amendments are conducted through a transparent and inclusive process. We will not allow this Government to erode the foundations of our democracy for political gain.”
The Government has yet to respond to Mr Usamate’s claims.
Feedback: lusiana.tuimaisala@fijisun.com.fj
