PM Rabuka rejects Narube call against military leaders

Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka fired back at Unity Fiji Party leader Savenaca Narube after he urged voters not to elect leaders with military backgrounds.

Mr Rabuka said Mr Narube did not understand democracy.

“He must understand our rights as far as democracy is concerned,” Mr Rabuka told the Fiji Sun.

Responding to Mr Narube’s claim that Fiji’s problems stemmed from weak leadership, Mr Rabuka questioned the basis of the comment.

“I do not understand what he means by weak leadership, whether it is at the Reserve Bank level where he has experience, not at the political level where he has no experience,” he said.

Mr Narube, a former Reserve Bank of Fiji Governor, made the comments during a talanoa session with supporters in Auckland, New Zealand, over the weekend.

He urged Fijians not to choose leaders with military backgrounds and positioned himself as an alternative ahead of the 2026 General Election.

“Let us not make the same mistakes as we have done repeatedly and choose military people into leadership of our government,” Mr Narube told supporters.

People’s Alliance general secretary Sila Balawa said Mr Narube’s comments were divisive and unhelpful.

“Leadership is not defined by background alone. It is defined by service, delivery, and results,” Mr Balawa said.

“Fijians are not interested in political labels or personal histories being used as weapons.”

Mr Rabuka, leader of the People’s Alliance, confirmed the party was preparing for the next election.

“We’re getting ready. We have to be ready,” he said.