Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum and Frank Bainimarama. September 2023 Photo: Facebook / Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum
Convicted former Fijian Prime Minister Frank Bainimarama could contest the general election next year, his right-hand man claims.
Bainimarama, who originally seized power in a military revolt in 2006, now wants his corruption conviction quashed by the Court of Appeal.
Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum told RNZ Pacific this would allow the former military leader to contest the 2026 general election.
"Many Fijian people want him back," Sayed-Khaiyum, who was widely regarded as the brains behind Bainimarama's 16-year leadership, said.
"There is a groundswell of support. Whenever we walk down the street, people reach out and say the country needs him," he said.
The coalition government was putting its political survival ahead of the people, he said.
"Sitiveni Rabuka's administration knows it is not going to win the 2026 election, because the country is in such a mess."
"So, it is making underhanded moves to try and change the 2013 Constitution, with a view to changing the electoral system," he said.
Sayed-Khaiyum, labelled by critics as the architect of the Constitution, said the country's economic and social problems are more urgent than constitutional change.
"The government's inability to govern effectively and implement credible policies means we have seen a rapidly growing gap between the rich and poor, more people falling into poverty, and thousands of Fijians leaving our shores in the past couple of years," he said.
"If the Prime Minister [Rabuka] is concerned about our economy and the welfare of ordinary Fijians, then he must direct the government's energy and resources to addressing the issues faced by all Fijians, our businesses and investors."
"If he can do that and not listen to the political opportunists and extremists around him, then he will gain the political ascendancy that he seeks."
Bainimarama was head of Fiji's military in 2006 when he staged the country's fourth coup in 20 years.
He deposed the late Prime Minister Laisenia Qarase and became Prime Minister in 2007.
However, Bainimarama returned Fiji to democracy with a general election in 2014.
His now deregistered FijiFirst Party had a landslide victory in that election, the first in eight years.
But the administration was accused of being dictatorial due to allegations of bullying, intimidation of opponents, human rights abuses, and suppression of the media.
He won the elections for a second time in 2018, but only managed to accumulate a little over 50 percent of the total votes to lead a majority government.
Bainimarama attempted to consolidate his power as the longest serving Fiji Prime Minister in 2022, while going up against his arch-rival, former military strongman and coup maker Rabuka.
However, despite being the largest party in parliament he failed to secure the majority of seats and a coalition government was needed. The result hinged on kingmaker Viliame Gavoka, then the leader of the Social Democratic Liberal Party (Sodelpa).
Sodelpa chose to go into a coalition with Rabuka's People's Alliance and the National Federation Party, and ousted Bainimarama's government ending his 16-year reign.
Bainimarama resigned from parliament in March 2023 after copping a three year suspension for sedition.
He was jailed in May last year, alongside the former police chief Sitiveni Qiliho, for perverting the course of justice.
The two were involved in blocking a police investigation involving the University of the South Pacific in 2021.
However, Bainimarama was released from prison last November, just six months into his one-year sentence, following a comprehensive review by the Fiji Corrections Service (FCS).
In a statement, the said that section 46(3) of the Corrections Act, allowed for early release of inmates based on specific criteria that ensure both the security of the community and the facilitation of an inmates reintegration.
"All requirements were rigourously assessed, including eligibility criteria, conditions for release, and supervisory measures in place, in accordance with the guidelines established under FCS regulations," the statement said.
Seven parties have registered to contest the election so far, and a further 15 proposed parties are yet to gain enough support to register, according to the Electoral Commission.
Sayed-Khaiyum claims the amount of interest signifies the peoples' deep dissatisfaction with the coalition government.
However, he said that so far neither he nor Bainimarama have endorsed any particular party.
RNZ Pacific has reached out Bainimarama, the Court of Appeal, and the Prime Minister's office for comment.
