Acting Prime Minister, Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum says the excuses used by SODELPA leader, Sitiveni Rabuka, for carrying out the 1987 coup was one that made a mockery of God.

Today marks 31 years since the first coup in Fiji, which saw Rabuka overthrow the Labor/NFP coalition government led by the then Prime Minister, the late Timoci Bavadra.

Rabuka had said in 1987 and later in his book that God’s wish was for Fiji to be ruled by Fijians.

This has been lambasted by Sayed-Khaiyum in Parliament today.

“He (Rabuka) claims in his book that he spoke to God. God does not tell you to oppress the weak, God does not tell you to bring about injustices.”

Sayed-Khaiyum says the policies put in place after the coup in 1987, did not grow Fiji but claims it sent the nation into the doldrums.

“Some 31 years and some time ago, we are still paying for his mistakes, quite literally the collapse of the National Bank of Fiji has resulted in an inter-generationally debt, that Fijians are still paying for today.”

The acting PM also took a swipe at the National Federation Party, who he says continue to remain silent on issues rather than following in the footsteps of their former leaders in making Fiji successful.

“Those who sit in silent like those in NFP and who do not display the stoic and visionary leadership that their old leaders showed. They perhaps are simply after driving black cars.”

NFP leader, Biman Prasad, then stood up to oppose the statements made and also predict what was to come in the next General Elections.

“I hear the Attorney General always talking about NFP being silent. I know why they demonizing us on this side. I know why they demonizing the SODELPA leader, I know why they demonizing SODELPA, because they going for the Indo-Fijian votes. And people in this country know, that they are not going to buy that this time.”

Attempts to get comments from Rabuka, has proved futile.