A Fijian politics scholar says a former government minister's defection is a major gain for the opposition.
Photo: Fiji govt
Pio Tikoduadua has joined the National Federation Party, hoping to run against Frank Bainimarama's Fiji First party in next year's election.
A professor at the School of Government, Development and International Affairs at the University of the South Pacific, Vijay Naidu, said Mr Tikoduadua's work in the military and government meant he had knowledge that most did not.
"Those kinds of insights may help his new political party in terms of strategising about how to engage with Fiji First as we move to the election campaign period."
Professor Naidu said gaining another prominent indigenous Fijian was important for the NFP whose president Tupou Draunidalo, had moved to the proposed HOPE party.
