The Prime Minister has lashed out at further attempts by the President of the Social Democratic Liberal Party Ratu Naiqama Lalabalavu to influence the release of the 70 people arrested for sedition.

Voreqe Bainimarama has warned that those from the Opposition encouraging people to up-rise will never be successful.

Speaking to FBC News, Bainimarama says he is not impressed at all with Ratu Naiqama attempt to meet with him to influence the release of those charged with sedition.

“It’s like he is threatening the people of Fiji that if I don’t sit with him, this uprising will continue. I want to tell him, that the Police and the Military have got it covered. He doesn’t have to worry about it. There won’t be any uprising.”

Bainimarama says he has promised all Fijians there won’t be a repeat of 2000.

He says he is sad that those arrested are being used by shadowy figures – adding that these poor and vulnerable people will lose out if they are convicted and jailed – tearing them away from their families and a livelihood.

“Where are the people prompting them? Some of them are in this House. If you sit and listen to the comments made from Parliament – Some of them are in Parliament, prompting these people to up-rise.”

The Prime Minister says Ratu Naiqama doesn’t simply understand that he courts can’t be told what to do.

“He doesn’t understand what he is talking about. I can’t do that. I have separate powers from the judiciary – from the court system. I can’t tell the court to release them.”

Bainimarama says Ratu Naiqama’s relevancy to him is limited to his presidency of SODELPA – adding the SODELPA President should sort out his Party’s split instead of telling him how to do his job.