8 Oct 2015

Ganilau nominated as Fiji presidential candidate

1:49 pm on 8 October 2015
Fiji flag flies on the rooftop of parliament

Photo: RNZI/ Sally Round

Fiji's opposition has named Ratu Epeli Ganilau as its candidate for president to replace the outgoing head of state, Ratu Epeli Nailatikau.

Parliament will hold a special sitting on Monday to elect the new president.

The opposition's leader Ro Teimumu Kepa says it has tried to follow a process to depoliticise the nomination.

Ro Teimumu says her SODELPA Party chose him after discussions with chiefs as opposed to a process of numbers and voting by politicians.

Ratu Epeli was the defence minister in the post-coup regime of Frank Bainimarama following an unsuccessful bid as leader of the National Alliance to win a seat in the 2006 election.

Ratu Epeli is also a former chairman of the Great Council of Chiefs.

Both he and Ratu Epeli Nailtaikau have been military commanders.