Fijileaks
  • Home
  • Archive Home
  • In-depth Analysis
    • BOI Report into George Speight and others beatings
  • Documents
  • Opinion
  • CRC Submissions
  • Features
  • Archive

THE EASTER RESURRECTION: Pio Tikoduadua, Bainimarama's most trusted lieutenant, joins NFP saying Khaiyum-Bainimarama 'stifled' him

17/4/2017

9 Comments

 

"Fiji’s biggest problem at the moment is not that my opinion does not matter. It is that nobody’s opinion matters, except those of the Prime Minister and the Attorney-General...At the time of the 2006 coup, I was studying in Canberra at the Australian Command and Staff College. I joined the RFMF-led Government, initially as Permanent Secretary for Justice and later serving the Commander RFMF and Prime Minister as Permanent Secretary in the Office of the Prime Minister from 2008 to 2014. For me personally, I considered this as a continuation of my military duty to the Commander, spanning some 15 years from 1999 when I served him as his Personal Staff Officer or Aide-de-Camp (ADC).  Loyalty to your superiors is the essence of soldiering. I was part of the military government. I cannot and do not ignore that fact. I believed, rightly or wrongly, that the military could help to create an effective and sustainable democracy in Fiji. And whether I was right or wrong, I must accept responsibility for that fact." - Pio Tikoduadua

Picture
April 15, 2017
 
MEDIA RELEASE
 
 
STATEMENT BY LIEUTENANT COLONEL PIO TIKODUADUA - MEMBER AND INTENDING CANDIDATE – NATIONAL FEDERATION PARTY
 
Thank you all for being here today. I apologise to those of you that may have had to sacrifice time with your loved ones, this Saturday of Holy Week to attend this press conference.
 
After consulting with my wife and our two teenage children, I am very grateful and humbled that they have given me their unwavering support, blessings and understanding, to return to public life and service. This sacrifice made by my wife and children comes with their conviction and understanding of the toll it could take on my health personally and my family security. However they also understand my strong belief that contributing positively to our country – and doing so with integrity - not only pays in this life but also in the next.
 
I have now joined the National Federation Party. I will be applying to be an NFP candidate in the 2018 general election.
 
I joined NFP after a number of conversations with its party leader, Professor Biman Prasad.  In the years 2011 and 2012 the United Nations convened a series of meetings between the military government and its opponents. This was a search for a way to work together to restore democracy to Fiji.
 
That process did not succeed. But as a member of the Government at that time, I had many discussions with Professor Prasad. I became convinced that consultation and consensus-building with our opponents was the way to go. Professor  Prasad offered many positive ideas for our country that were falling on deaf ears. 
 
I know about NFP’s deep history in Fiji. Unlike many other parties in Fiji, it was not formed for the purpose of becoming a government. It was formed to defend people who were vulnerable and voiceless. At first this was the cane farmers. But over the years it has become the voice of many more. These are not just Indo-Fijians. As Professor Prasad has reminded me, if NFP had not had many thousands of i-Taukei votes in 2014, it would not be in Parliament right now.  
 
The NFP has given to Fiji statesmen like Mr A D Patel, Mr S M Koya Mr Jai Ram Reddy and Mr Harish Sharma. It has never departed from its principles. At critical moments in Fiji’s history, it has always sought to do the right thing, even at the cost of votes. At Independence in 1970, NFP allowed the Alliance Party to rule for two years instead of demanding an election. In 1999, it joined hands with the SVT Party to offer the people a genuinely multi-racial government, even though many of its supporters did not agree.  NFP has never supported a military coup.
 
In 2014, I had to choose sides to contest the general elections. I chose the Fiji First Party. But before I made this announcement I rang Professor Prasad. I told him that if I had not chosen Fiji First, I would have chosen NFP. So here I am – even if it is three years too late! 
 
As many of you would know, I am a former Minister of the Fiji First Government and Leader of Government Business in Parliament. Before that I was a career officer in the Republic of Fiji Military Forces for 20 years.
 
At the time of the 2006 coup, I was studying in Canberra at the Australian Command and Staff College. I joined the RFMF-led Government, initially as Permanent Secretary for Justice and later serving the Commander RFMF and Prime Minister as Permanent Secretary in the Office of the Prime Minister from 2008 to 2014. For me personally, I considered this as a continuation of my military duty to the Commander, spanning some 15 years from 1999 when I served him as his Personal Staff Officer or Aide-de-Camp (ADC).  Loyalty to your superiors is the essence of soldiering. I was part of the military government. I cannot and do not ignore that fact. I believed, rightly or wrongly, that the military could help to create an effective and sustainable democracy in Fiji. And whether I was right or wrong, I must accept responsibility for that fact.  
 
I was one of the 50 people elected to Parliament in 2014. I was and I still am  very grateful for the overwhelming support of the electorate in electing me. 
 
I resigned from Fiji First and a Member of Parliament in May 2015. The reason I stated at that time for my resignation was that I had serious health issues developing from my cancer condition. My doctors warned me this could recur if I was not mindful of my personal health and stress.  My health has improved during the last 2 years I have lived in my home village at Delasui. I continue to manage my personal health as anyone else would do.
 
But there were other reasons as well for my departure.
 
I spoke earlier about loyalty. Loyalty must be given to a leader. But loyalty must also be returned.
 
In 2015 a Fiji First Party Member of Parliament who was a backbencher voted with the Opposition on a Parliamentary motion on health issues. He did this for reasons of conscience.
 
This was courageous and principled, even if it was politically unwise. Some of my fellow Ministers called for him to resign. I was not one of them. I gave my opinion to the Prime Minister that we should show flexibility and forgiveness. For me, this was an opportunity for the Government to listen and learn about why that one of its MPs had felt so strongly about an issue that he would vote with the Opposition.
 
The Prime Minister initially accepted and was agreeable to my recommendation. I told the MP the matter was resolved.
 
Unfortunately, the PM then took advice of the Attorney General and changed his mind. I went back to argue my case again. He then informed me that my opinion did not matter.
 
I took that statement as an order that my services were no longer required. I then left the Government.
 
Fiji’s biggest problem at the moment is not that my opinion does not matter. It is that nobody’s opinion matters, except those of the Prime Minister and the Attorney-General.  No-one else’s views are sought. No concession is made to any person with a different opinion. Nobody else can ever be right and they can never be wrong.
 
This approach is deeply destructive of democracy and national unity.  It divides Fiji it means that we lack a common vision and we operate in a climate of fear and restrictiveness. This is no way to run a country.  This is no way to solve Fiji’s problems.
 
During my time in "retirement", I kept a close interest on the effects on Fijian society of the decisions made on the national front, in particular of Parliament and of the Executive. And the more I watched and listened, the more I became convinced that most, if not all, the aspirations we in the RFMF had stood for together for democracy and the people have been cast aside today.
 
I am now an intending candidate for the National Federation Party. I will defend the aspirations of both the NFP and the values that were instilled in me from my youth and that have sustained me in my life. These are integrity, honesty and trust – the same values that I took through my military career and which I very dearly cherish through my Christian faith. These are the same principles that I have held as an elected MP - that no matter what your background or religion, we are all equal in the eyes of God. The same belief of Christianity being inclusive, with the central teachings of Christ being foremost – the Command to Love, sacrifice, show compassion, mercy and forgiveness.  Today is the eve of the Resurrection, an event that Christians regard as the epitome of their faith and belief - the victory of good over evil, of life over death, of despair of eternal death to hope in salvation and eternal life.
 
So today -
 
I now Stand Free. I stand to defend the values that I believe in as a humane person, a Fijian, an i Taukei and a farmer with roots embedded in the village of Delasui in Korovou, Northland, Tailevu, a steadfast career military man, and most importantly to me as a being – my family and Christian and Catholic values of freedom, equality, justice, democracy, selflessness, and of putting God and country before oneself. I take these with me.
 
Today I am urging and encouraging all Fijians to stand tall too, and stand free. Let's take this walk and let’s stand up for the truth, for honour, justice, and democracy and for our voices. Let’s stand up for the life that each one of us, our children, and generations to come, deserve. Let's demand nothing less. Let's not take a back seat but CHOOSE to define our destiny.
 
Thank you very much.
 
Authorised by : -
 
Lieutenant-Colonel Pio Tikoduadua
 
Ph: 7196802
Email: viotikoduadua@gmail.com

From Fijileaks Archive, 10 May 2015

Picture
http://www.fijileaks.com/home/cancer-forces-pio-tikoduadua-to-resign-from-government-fijileaks-wishes-him-speedy-recovery-and-strength-to-shoulder-on-in-life

From Fijileaks Archive, 30 July 2014:

Picture
Picture
April 18, 2017
 
Statement by the NFP Leader on Lt-Col Pio Tikoduadua joining the NFP
 
I am very pleased that Lieutenant-Colonel Pio Tikoduadua has decided to join us. As he has said, we got to know each other well during the UN Roundtable process.
 
This was a man who, although he was loyal to the RFMF and its then Commander, could listen with respect to our opposing views. He could accept criticism and look for common ground.
 
He was never arrogant to us. He built trust with us and welcomed our ideas. If the Prime Minister had listened more to Pio and less to other people, Fiji would be a very different place now.  
 
People should clearly understand that Lt-Col Tikoduadua is not an ordinary politician. Many Fiji First Party MPs are unhappy with the Government’s direction, but they stay silent.  On the other hand, Lt-Col Tikoduadua gave up his position in 2015 as a matter of principle.
 
He gave up his Ministerial and Parliamentary salaries. perks and privileges. Very few politicians would make such a sacrifice. We welcome Lt-Col Tikoduadua and his supporters to our party. We are proud that they have chosen to join us.  
 
In next year’s general elections, NFP will put before the people of Fiji a strong line-up of candidates. These will be people who are well known in the community and who have the deep skills and experience required to work in the next Government.
 
We intend to make the next election a serious contest for the people’s votes. We will be making further announcements in the weeks and months ahead about new people, new policies and our vision for the future.
 
We are inviting everyone to join us – as party members, candidates, volunteers or supporters – to help to change Fiji for the better.  We believe that for NFP the best is yet to come.   
 
Authorised by: -
 
Professor Biman Prasad
NFP Leader
 
 

9 Comments
Chiku
17/4/2017 10:36:37 pm

I would contend military man Pio Tikoduadua is wrong to believe the military can " create an effective and sustainable democracy in Fiji".
The evidence of the military's engagement/interference in Fiji politics since the first military coup of 1987 and the last military coup of 2006 does not support it.
Democracy in Fiji has been damaged by the Fijian military's intrusion into Fiji politics and statecraft.
That is a fact that any truly independent observer would make.
Pio Tikoduadua is not such an observer by virtue of his military affiliation.

Reply
Gulong
18/4/2017 03:33:41 am

Colonel Pio's coming out and joining the NFP is a courageous act and needs to be commended. He chose a principled path when he resigned and his decision to join in the fight against the evilness of Khaiyum and Bainimarama's government is also influenced by high principles and values.
His comments about the potential of the Military to play a role in steering the country back towards the path of democracy that upsets Chiku should be seen in another light. With a $200 million annual budget the military is probably the biggest corporation in Fiji and therefore a key institution. Coupled with its constitutional role as arbiters of the common good the military needs to be on side for any substantial correction in the path to be taken by any government. So rather than snipe at the heels of people who are prepared to stand up and lead the fight against the cronyism of the Bai/Kai government we should be supporting Colonel Pio and others like him who want to stand up and be counted. It's such a relief that he did not throw his lot in with Rabuka and his loser party, SODELPA

Reply
Chiku
18/4/2017 09:35:06 am

No, I am not upset. I am only disputing Pio Tikoduadua's claim about the positive role of the Fijian military in Fiji's democracy. That's how mature minds are meant to engage in intellectual discourse.
Pio Tikoduadua is not the first senior military man to part company with the Bainimarama gangster government of which he was a part until fairly recently.
And, yes it's good that he has come to his sense and joined a principled political party ( the NFP ) even if rather belatedly.

Reply
Pio ke Story
18/4/2017 10:59:33 pm

Not so long ago, a dozen or so of us, elderly, picketers, of this world’s longest going Strike (28 years, noted by the ILO) members of Vatukoula Gold Mine Workers Union (of the past), having made an appointment through our lawyers, we sat around the round table, in the round table office in the PM’s office, in Suva, to meet up with the PM in our earnest hope to resolve our decades long grievances.

The PM was a no show but a long wait and tea and biscuits later, out comes PS Pio Tikoduadua, smartly dressed and all business. Even before we had a chance to speak, Pio looked around at our old sunken faces, around the fancy round-table and he very sternly told us not to be too emotional about our worldly troubles. He has no time for emotions he said. And his government has no money for us either and since Pio is also presently very pressed for time, he said he appreciated meeting us and that the meeting is now over.

We didn’t say much as we ambled along the Suva streets, single lane, slowly, sullenly, towards the Suva bus stand for our long bus ride back to Tavua. I remember someone say, was it Jone or Temo, doesn’t matter but what was said was this; “That man Pio has no heart”. And we all, the dozen or so of us elderly, nodded our heads in a sad agreement.

Reply
Chiku
19/4/2017 12:31:07 am

Over to you Gulong for a short reply.

Reply
Refugee
19/4/2017 09:56:18 am

For reasons right or wrong (my arse!) Pio Tikoduadua was an integral member of the gun-bearing cabal who participated in TREASON and are only flipping about because of their fooking ‘immunity clauses’ in their FRAUD and IMPOSED Constitution of Khaiyum. The children of Fiji may well ASK what kind of people deserves special protection by immunity clauses in a Constitution.

Biman with Pio is no different from Chaudhary with Rabuka. Do we see a pattern of Indo-Fijian Leaders arse-licking with itaukei Coupists?? – Biman/Pio, Chaudhary/Rabuka, Kai/Bai. It is a shitty scenario.

Reply
Rajend Naidu
19/4/2017 10:58:49 pm

Editor,
The Coup Colonised Mind.
Peter d'Errico reminds us in his article ' What Is a Colonised Mind?' ( Indian Country Today. Dec 12,2011) how the colonised mind is conditioned.
He tells us Franz Fanon's study of psychology and sociology led him to the conclusion that colonised people perpetuate their condition by striving to emulate the culture and ideas of their oppressors.
The Brazilian educator and philosopher Paulo Freire echoed that view:
" The oppressed want at any cost to resemble the oppressors... Those who authentically commit themselves to the people must re-examine themselves constantly" ( Pedagogy of the Oppressed ).
Have the minds of some of our mob been colonised by their erstwhile coup oppressors? Have they internalised the " [political] culture and ideas" of the coupists?
Have they who purport to authentically commit themselves to the people re- examined themselves and their thinking?
Will there be a paradigm change in Fiji politics or will there be more of the same business as usual ?
Your guess is as good as mine on this .
Sincerely,
Rajend Naidu

Reply
splashViti
20/4/2017 01:52:07 am

How refreshingly candid. It seems that the lying mouth fraudster would stop at nothing - including piggybacking on our Lord's Resurrection (Easter) to make a political comeback. Does the idiot seriously think people would vote for someone who can only function on a truckload of medication? Good grief, he'd probably spend a good portion of his public life attending to his health needs at expensive hospitals abroad at taxpayer's expense. Stupid sucker.

Reply
Gulong
19/4/2017 01:49:49 pm

Politics make strange bed fellows. What are the Vatukoula strikers still harping about when the Emperor Gold Mining Company has sold its business and left our shores. They should just move on with their lives. Some of the original picketers have done so and have done well for themselves thank you very much.

Reply

Your comment will be posted after it is approved.


Leave a Reply.

    editor@fijileaks.com

    ARCHIVES

    September 2020
    August 2020
    July 2020
    June 2020
    December 2018
    November 2018
    October 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015
    November 2015
    October 2015
    September 2015
    August 2015
    July 2015
    June 2015
    May 2015
    April 2015
    March 2015
    February 2015
    January 2015
    December 2014
    November 2014
    October 2014
    September 2014
    August 2014
    July 2014
    June 2014
    May 2014
    April 2014
    March 2014
    February 2014
    January 2014
    December 2013
    November 2013
    October 2013
    September 2013
    August 2013
    July 2013
    June 2013
    May 2013
    April 2013
    March 2013
    February 2013
    January 2013
    December 2012
    October 2012
    September 2012
    Picture
    Picture