Vice-President of Fiji

Vice-President of the Republic of Fiji
Coat of arms of the Republic of Fiji
Appointer	Great Council of Chiefs (1990–2009) President of Fiji (2009–13)
Formation	1990
First holder	Josaia Tavaiqia Inoke Takiveikata
Final holder	Epeli Nailatikau
Abolished	6 September 2013
Succession	Chief Justice of Fiji

The position of the Vice-President of the Republic of Fiji was created in 1990, to provide a constitutional successor to the President of Fiji, in the event of the latter's death or resignation, or of his otherwise being unable to carry out his duties. The Vice-President's role in government was mostly ceremonial.

History of the office

Under the terms the 1990 Constitution of Fiji, the Vice-Presidential office was divided between two persons, styled First Vice-President and Second Vice-President, respectively, but a single person has held the office of Vice-President from 1999, when the 1997 Constitution of Fiji came into effect.

Under the terms of the 1997 Constitution, the Vice-President was appointed by the Great Council of Chiefs, after consultation with the Prime Minister.^[1] In April 2009, however, the Constitution was suspended, following the earlier suspension of the Great Council of Chiefs in April 2007. Six days after the suspension of the Constitution, the government issued a decree stating that the Vice-President would henceforth be appointed by the President.^[2] Ratu Epeli Nailatikau was appointed Vice-President the following day.^[3]

Under the terms of the 2013 Constitution, the Vice-Presidential office was abolished, with its duties and powers transferred to the Chief Justice.

Being appointees of the all-indigenous Great Council of Chiefs, Fiji's Vice-Presidents, like its Presidents, have all been indigenous Fijians (of chiefly rank). In 2007, Reverend Akuila Yabaki, Director of the Citizens Constitutional Forum, suggested that "the time may be right now to allow a person from any race to take up this position".^[4]

Vice-Presidents

First Vice-Presidents No. Portrait Name (Birth–Death) Term start Term end Political Party 1 Ratu Sir Josaia Tavaiqia (1931–1997) 1990 2 June 1992 Independent 2 Ratu Sir Kamisese Mara (1920–2004) 2 June 1992 15 December 1993 Independent Vacant (15 December 1993 – 12 January 1994) (1) Ratu Sir Josaia Tavaiqia (1931–1997) 12 January 1994 17 November 1997 Independent 3 Ratu Inoke Takiveikata 17 November 1997 18 January 1999 Independent

Second Vice-Presidents No. Portrait Name (Birth–Death) Term start Term end Political Party 1 Ratu Inoke Takiveikata 1990 2 June 1992 Independent 2 Ratu Sir Josaia Tavaiqia (1931–1997) 2 June 1992 12 January 1994 Independent (1) Ratu Inoke Takiveikata 12 January 1994 17 November 1997 Independent 3 Ratu Josefa Iloilo (1920–2011) 17 November 1997 18 January 1999 Independent

Vice-Presidents (single office)

No.	Portrait	Name (Birth–Death)	Term start	Term end	Political Party
1		Ratu Josefa Iloilo (1920–2011)	18 January 1999	29 May 2000	Independent
Vacant (29 May 2000 – 25 March 2001)
2		Ratu Jope Seniloli (1939–2015)	25 March 2001	29 November 2004	Independent
3		Ratu Joni Madraiwiwi (1957–2016)	15 December 2004	5 December 2006	Independent
Vacant (5 December 2006 – 17 April 2009)
4		Brigadier-General (Rtd) Ratu Epeli Nailatikau (1941–)	17 April 2009	30 July 2009	Independent
Vacant (30 July 2009 – 6 September 2013)
Post abolished (6 September 2013 – present)

References

1. Constitution of Fiji, s.90
2. Office of the Vice-President and Succession Decree Archived 13 September 2009 at the Wayback Machine., 16 April 2009
3. "Fiji appoints Ratu Epeli Nailatikau as Vice President", Radio Australia, 17 April 2009
4. "Promote multi-racism in Fiji", Fiji Broadcasting Corporation, 30 December 2007