Vice-President of Fiji

Vice-President of the Republic of Fiji
Coat of arms of the Republic of Fiji
Epeli Nailatikau Last office holder
Appointer	Great Council of Chiefs (1990–2009) President of Fiji (2009–13)
Formation	1990
First holder	Josaia Tavaiqia Inoke Takiveikata
Final holder	Epeli Nailatikau
Abolished	6 September 2013 (permanently vacant since July 30, 2009)
Superseded by	Chief Justice of Fiji

The position of the vice-president of the Republic of Fiji was created in 1990, to provide a constitutional successor to the president of Fiji, in the event of the latter's death or resignation, or of his otherwise being unable to carry out his duties. The vice-president's role in government was mostly ceremonial as its sole purpose was to replace the president in his absence, death, or inability to hold office. The vice-presidency was abolished in 2013, with the powers of the office transferred to the Chief Justice of Fiji, who has a dormant commission which is triggered when the position of President of Fiji is either vacant or when the President is either absent or ill.

History of the office

Under the terms the 1990 Constitution of Fiji, the vice-presidency was divided between two persons, styled First Vice-President and Second Vice-President, respectively, but a single person held the office of vice-president from 1999, when the 1997 Constitution of Fiji came into effect.

Under the terms of the 1997 Constitution, the vice-president was appointed by the Great Council of Chiefs, after consultation with the prime minister. In April 2009, however, the Constitution was suspended, following the earlier suspension of the Great Council of Chiefs in April 2007. Six days after the suspension of the Constitution, the government issued a decree stating that the vice-president would henceforth be appointed by the president. Ratu Epeli Nailatikau was appointed vice-president the following day.

Under the terms of the 2013 Constitution, the vice-presidency was abolished, with its duties and powers transferred to the chief justice.

Being appointees of the all-indigenous Great Council of Chiefs, Fiji's vice-presidents, like its presidents, have all been indigenous Fijians (of chiefly rank). In 2007, Reverend Akuila Yabaki, Director of the Citizens Constitutional Forum, suggested that "the time may be right now to allow a person from any race to take up this position".

Vice-presidents

First vice-presidents No. Portrait First Vice-President Took office Left office Time in office Party President Tavaiqia, JosaiaRatu Sir Josaia Tavaiqia (1931–1997) 1990 2 June 1992 2 years, 153 days Independent Penaia Ganilau Mara, KamiseseRatu Sir Kamisese Mara (1920–2004) 2 June 1992 15 December 1993 1 year, 196 days Independent Ratu Sir Penaia Ganilau Vacant (15 December 1993 – 12 January 1994) Tavaiqia, JosaiaRatu Sir Josaia Tavaiqia (1931–1997) 12 January 1994 17 November 1997 † 309 days Independent Ratu Sir Kamisese Mara Takiveikata, InokeRatu Inoke Takiveikata 17 November 1997 18 January 1999 1 year, 62 days Independent Ratu Sir Kamisese Mara Second vice-presidents No. Portrait Second Vice-President Took office Left office Time in office Party President Takiveikata, InokeRatu Inoke Takiveikata 1990 2 June 1992 2 years, 153 days Independent Ratu Sir Penaia Ganilau Tavaiqia, JosaiaRatu Sir Josaia Tavaiqia (1931–1997) 2 June 1992 12 January 1994 1 year, 224 days Independent Ratu Sir Penaia Ganilau Ratu Sir Kamisese Mara Takiveikata, InokeRatu Inoke Takiveikata 12 January 1994 17 November 1997 3 years, 309 days Independent Ratu Sir Kamisese Mara Iloilo, JosefaRatu Josefa Iloilo (1920–2011) 17 November 1997 18 January 1999 1 year, 62 days Independent Ratu Sir Kamisese Mara

Vice-presidents (single office)

No.	Portrait	Vice-President	Took office	Left office	Time in office	Party	President
		Iloilo, JosefaRatu Josefa Iloilo (1920–2011)	18 January 1999	29 May 2000	1 year, 132 days	Independent	Ratu Sir Kamisese Mara
Vacant (29 May 2000 – 25 March 2001)
		Seniloli, JopeRatu Jope Seniloli (1939–2015)	25 May 2001	29 November 2004	3 years, 188 days	Independent	Josefa Iloilo
		Madraiwiwi, JoniRatu Joni Madraiwiwi (1957–2016)	15 December 2004	5 December 2006	1 year, 355 days	Independent	Josefa Iloilo
Vacant (5 December 2006 – 17 April 2009)
		Nailatikau, EpeliRatu Brigadier general (Rtd) Epeli Nailatikau (born 1941)	17 April 2009	30 July 2009	104 days	Independent	Josefa Iloilo
Vacant (30 July 2009 – 6 September 2013)
Abolished (6 September 2013 – present)