Josefa Iloilo

Josefa Iloilo, born on December twenty-ninth, nineteen twenty, was a prominent Fijian politician who made significant contributions to the political landscape of Fiji. He served as the third President of Fiji from two thousand until two thousand nine, a period marked by political upheaval following the two thousand Fijian coup d'état. Iloilo was known for his traditional title of Tui Vuda, the paramount chief of the Vuda district in Ba Province, located on Fiji's northwest coast.

During his presidency, Iloilo faced numerous challenges, including a brief interruption of his powers during the two thousand six coup d'état. On December fifth, two thousand six, Commodore Frank Bainimarama seized control, leading to a complex political situation. Despite this, Iloilo's powers were restored on January fourth, two thousand seven, after which he publicly endorsed Bainimarama's actions and appointed him as Prime Minister.

In a controversial move on April tenth, two thousand nine, Iloilo dismissed judges from Fiji's Court of Appeal following their ruling that deemed the military coup unlawful. He abrogated the country's constitution, asserting that he had the full support of the security forces and directed the military to maintain law and order. His presidency concluded with his announcement on July twenty-eighth, two thousand nine, that he would step down on July thirtieth, making him the world's oldest head of state at the age of eighty-eight.