Epeli Nailatikau

Epeli Nailatikau
2nd Speaker of the Parliament
In office
11 February 2019 – 24 December 2022
Prime MinisterFrank Bainimarama
Preceded byJiko Luveni
Succeeded byNaiqama Lalabalavu
President of Fiji
In office
30 July 2009 – 12 November 2015
Acting: 30 July 2009 – 5 November 2009
Prime MinisterFrank Bainimarama
Preceded byJosefa Iloilo
Succeeded byGeorge Konrote
Speaker of the House of Representatives of Fiji
In office
2001–2006
Preceded byApenisa Kurisaqila
Succeeded byPita Nacuva
Vice-President of Fiji
In office
17 April 2009 – 30 July 2009
PresidentJosefa Iloilo
Preceded byJoni Madraiwiwi (2006)
Succeeded byOffice Abolished
Deputy Prime Minister of Fiji
In office
August 2000 – 2001
Prime MinisterLaisenia Qarase
Succeeded byTupeni Baba
In office
2001 – September 2001[1]
Prime MinisterLaisenia Qarase
Preceded byTupeni Baba
Personal details
Born (1941-07-05) 5 July 1941 (age 83)
Suva, Colony of Fiji
Political partyIndependent
Spouse
(m. 1981)
Children2
Parent

Brigadier-General Ratu Epeli Nailatikau, CF, LVO, OBE, MSD, KStJ (born 5 July 1941) (often referred to as Na Turaga Mai Naisogolaca) is a Fijian chief who was President of Fiji from 2009 to 2015. He has had a long career in the Military, diplomatic service, and government. From 2001 to 2006 he served as Speaker of the House of Representatives – the lower and more powerful chamber of the Fijian Parliament. He was also the chairman of the Parliamentary Appropriations Committee and of the House Committee. On 8 January 2007, he was appointed the interim Minister for Foreign Affairs and External Trade; he was moved to the post of interim Minister for Provincial Development and Multi-Ethnic Affairs in September 2008. In October 2008, he became Indigenous Affairs Minister "and effectively Great Council of Chiefs chairman".[2] On 17 April 2009, he was appointed Vice-President by the military government.[3][4]

On 30 July 2009, he became acting president after the retirement of President Josefa Iloilo.[5] On 5 November 2009, he was sworn in as President of Fiji.[6] George Konrote was elected to succeed him in October 2015.

On 11 February 2019, he became the newly appointed Speaker of the Fijian Parliament, winning 30 votes against 21 to Opposition nominee and Suva lawyer, Tanya Waqanika.[7]

  1. ^ Cite error: The named reference parlbio was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  2. ^ "Ratu Epeli is new GCC chairman" Archived 22 February 2012 at the Wayback Machine, FijiLive, 14 October 2008
  3. ^ Nailatikau is Fiji's Vice-President Gateway to Fiji, Fiji News, Fiji eDirectory, Fiji Magic, Fiji Real Estate, Fiji Classifieds, Fiji Dating, Fiji Rugby, Fiji Football, Fiji Jobs, Fijian News, Fijian Music, Fiji Houses for Sale, Fiji Holidays, Fiji Sports, Fiji Picture Gallery, Fiji Business, etc Archived 20 April 2009 at the Wayback Machine. Fijilive (17 April 2009). Retrieved on 2012-05-04.
  4. ^ President's deputy sworn in – Fiji Times Online Archived 9 July 2009 at the Wayback Machine. Fijitimes.com (17 April 2009). Retrieved on 2012-05-04.
  5. ^ President of military-led Fiji plans to step down, AP, 28 July 2009
  6. ^ Nailatikau sworn in as Fiji's new President. News.xinhuanet.com (5 November 2009). Retrieved on 2012-05-04.
  7. ^ "Ratu Epeli Nailatikau is new Speaker". Parliament of the Republic of Fiji. 11 February 2019. Retrieved 5 February 2020.