14 Facts About Sani Lakatani

Sani Elia Lagigietama Lakatani was born on 4 June 1936 and is a former Premier of Niue.

Sani Lakatani was a member of the Niue People's Party.

Sani Lakatani was deployed to Vietnam as part of the Whiskey2 deployment.

Sani Lakatani was first elected to the Niue Assembly in the 1990 election as a candidate for Young Vivian's Niue People's Action Party.

Sani Lakatani was appointed to Rex's Cabinet as Minister of Finance, but was sacked just five months later after circulating a petition calling for a change of leadership.

Sani Lakatani was re-elected in 1993 and reappointed Finance Minister by Frank Lui.

Sani Lakatani resigned in March 1994, but was reinstated by Lui in the leadup to a confidence vote.

Sani Lakatani subsequently lost his finance portfolio in a cabinet reshuffle in October 1994 and resigned from Cabinet on 8 November.

Sani Lakatani joined the opposition, which organised itself into the Niue People's Party and effectively deadlocked the assembly.

Sani Lakatani was reinstated after a successful challenge before the High Court and the new Niue Court of Appeal, but in the interim was re-elected, coming sixth on the common roll in the 1996 election.

In October 1995 Sani Lakatani was charged with 22 counts of bribery and two of official corruption.

Sani Lakatani was re-elected at the 1999 Niuean general election, placing third on the common roll with 474 votes.

Sani Lakatani was elected leader of the Niue People's Party, and was elected Premier, defeating O'Love Jacobsen by 14 votes to 6.

Sani Lakatani was re-elected in 2002 Niuean general election, but his dictatorial leadership style saw him lose the leadership of the People's Party to Young Vivian, who subsequently became Premier, with Lakatani as his Deputy.