Two lawyers have joined the National Federation Party to contest the September 17 general elections under the NFP banner.
The latest inclusion of both lawyers brings to 45 the number of candidates announced so far to contest the elections. This number would have been 48 had not been for the Electoral Amendment Decree’s definition of “ordinarily resident”.
On Tuesday two of the Party’s prominent candidates Makereta Waqavonovono and Jone Vakalalabure had to withdraw their candidacy as a result of the decree. Former national rugby union representative and former teacher Seru Rabeni stepped aside after being endorsed and slated for announcement on Tuesday for the same reason.
The candidates announced today are: –
1 Semi Titoko
Born in Nalawa Ra, Semi Titoko is a lawyer operating the firm of Qarcia Barristers & Solicitors at Vaileka.
Mr Titoko was employed in the Judiciary for 8 years between 1992 and 2000. He worked in Nadi and Suva Magistrates Court and the High Court at Lautoka.
He was then a private law student at the University of the South Pacific between 2003 and 2008. He has been practicing as a lawyer since 2009.
Mr Titoko has been approached by the chiefs of Ra to be the voice of Ra people in Parliament. The chiefs have endorsed his decision to contest the elections under the NFP’s banner.
Mr Titoko is eager to be part of Team NFP for the future of Fiji.
2. Siddiq Faizal Koya
Siddiq Faizal Koya, born in Lautoka but now a resident of Nadi, is a barrister and solicitor with Siddiq Koya Lawyers.
Mr Koya graduated with an Honours Law degree from the University of Wolverhampton in United Kingdom. He also served as a magistrate.
Mr Koya has a record of service; as the legal advisor to the Rotary Club of Nadi, Speaker of Fiji Muslim League and Speaker of MA’natul Islam Association. He takes keen interest in youth and sports development and is a strong advocate against animal cruelty.
He believes that authoritarian government anywhere in the world is not good governance and that educated young people need to take the nation forward in contrast to those leaders who have polarized the nation on various issues.
His father, Siddiq Moidin Koya, was one of the founders of NFP in 1963 as Deputy leader to A D Patel. Mr Koya succeeded Mr Patel as NFP leader after Mr Patel’s death in October 1969 and also took over responsibility of negotiating Fiji’s Independence from Great Britain together with Ratu Sir Kamisese Mara.