On his first day back in Cabinet, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Industries, Commerce, Business Development and Public Enterprises Manoa Kamikamica dismissed speculation about his leadership ambitions.
He denied claims he had sought to destabilise Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka, despite being described by the Prime Minister as his “heir”.
After being sworn in Tuesday for a second time, Kamikamica said his immediate priority was governing Fiji rather than jockeying for future party leadership.
On Monday, the Suva Magistrate Court cleared him of charges of perjury and giving false information to a public servant.
Kamikamica resigned from Cabinet, including the Deputy Prime Minister’s post, in October last year while the matter was before the court.
Kamikamica thanked the Prime Minister for his confidence but said his focus remained firmly on governing.
“Right now, my focus is on the work that needs to be done. We have a government to run, and there is a great deal to accomplish before the next general election,” he said.
“”I’m not concerned about who will become the next leader. My priority is to ensure that the work we’ve started is carried out effectively and that we continue to maintain the trust and confidence of the people.”
Kamikamica also rejected claims he had been involved in attempts to undermine the Prime Minister within The People’s Alliance.
“Those rumours have been around since before we even formed the party,” he said.
“People should look at my record within the party. As far as my relationship with the Prime Minister is concerned, it has always been a good one, despite what others may try to suggest about my intentions.”
He said he was among the first to support Rabuka in establishing The People’s Alliance and remained committed to the party’s objectives.
“The speculation is simply that speculation. People naturally like to create rumours and political drama,” he said.
“I can say clearly that I’ve never had any discussions about bringing down the Government. That has never been my concern.”
Kamikamica said his priority remained helping move Fiji forward.
Meanwhile, the People’s Alliance (PA) party has sought to ease speculation over its leadership, with general secretary Sila Balawa urging party members to remain united.
His comments follow recent remarks by Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka acknowledging that some ministers had ambitions to lead the party in the future.
Rabuka said political ambition was healthy if pursued in the right way. He also acknowledged that some individuals within the party had different agendas.
Balawa said his priority was preparing the party for the next general election.
“If that is the case, then he knows more than I do,” Balawa said when asked about claims of an internal group seeking to challenge the party leadership.
“My focus is the preparations towards the elections.”
He urged members to set aside any differences for the good of the party.
“If there is a time to be united, then this is it,” he said.
“For those who may have differences or grumbles or whatever they have, they should put all that aside. We need to come together and fight as one single unit. Like the saying goes: united we stand, divided we fall.”
Balawa said ambition was welcome, but anyone seeking to lead the party must earn the confidence of both members and the public.
“You have to work your way up,” Balawa said.
“You have to serve. You have to do the hard yards and prove yourself to be a worthy leader for the nation, for the people to believe in you,” he said.
