May 14, 1947 – July 9, 2018
The National Federation Party is deeply saddened by the sudden passing away of our longest serving Vice-President Mr Temo Sukanaivalu, who was called to eternal rest at his home in Nakasi on Monday, 9th July, 2018.
Mr Sukanaivalu served as a Vice-President for a continuous span of 21 years from 1992 until February 2013 when the NFP had to be re-registered after the promulgation of the Political Parties (Registration, Conduct, Funding & Disclosures Decree). But Mr Sukanaivalu established the NFP Eastern Division Office on his home island of Vanuabalavu, Lau.
In 2017, he was once again elected as a Senior Vice-President and was a member of the Party’s Management Board.
Mr Sukanaivalu entered politics and joined the NFP, then under the leadership of Hon Justice Jai Ram Reddy, in early 1982 after resigning from the then Royal Fiji Police Force in which he last served as the police prosecutor in charge of Nadi and Sigatoka.
He contested the 1982 general elections and was one the 24 NFP MPs elected to Parliament. He served as a loyal Member of the Parliamentary Opposition. He was re-elected in the April 1987 elections and served as a Minister of State for Rural Development, Rehabilitation and Relief Supplies in the NFP/FLP Coalition Government led by Dr Timoci Uluivuda Bavadra, which was toppled after only five weeks in office on 14th May 1987 in Fiji’s first of the four military coups. That day was also Mr Sukanaivalu’s 40th birthday.
But Mr Sukanaivalu remained part of NFP’s struggle to restore, equality, dignity and justice, that was achieved 10 years later in 1997 through the enactment of the widely acclaimed 1997 Constitution, which was abrogated by the military regime on 10th April 2009.
Mr Sukanaivalu therefore served NFP with loyalty and dedication for 36 years and is an irreplaceable loss for the Party. His vision of a genuinely united and harmonious Fiji and principles of truth, justice and righteousness were remarkable.
He will be sadly missed.
Reguregu for Mr Sukanaivalu will be held from Tuesday 17th July at his home in 35 Matana Place, Nakasi. Funeral will take place on Thursday with details for his final journey to be finalised.
For further information please contact Mr Aporosa Sukanaivalu on 8983316 (Mob) or email: aporosam1371@gmail.com