Riddell Akua

Akua has been a member of the Parliament of Nauru since 3 May 2003. From this date on he has also been an important part of the Nauru Phosphate Corporation.

He is a member of the Naoero Amo Party, and he was re-elected to parliament in 2004, 2007 and 2008.

Akua was defeated in his attempt at re-election in the 2019 election.

Resignation and coup d'état allegations

He resigned on March 18, to prevent the Opposition, led by David Adeang and former President Rene Harris (who died of ill health several weeks later), from submitting a motion of no confidence against Stephen.

He was replaced as Speaker by David Adeang.

Akua was seen as a close ally of President Marcus Stephen, whose government ceased to command the support of a majority in the Parliament of Nauru in March 2008. Akua's resignation was thus set in the context of strengthening the Executive by hindering the conduct of Parliamentary business, which, as widely acknowledged, would likely have led to the term of office of the Stephen Administration being ended by Parliament. In this sense, Akua's record as Parliamentary Speaker is seen as controversial and allegations of a coup d'état made by Akua's successor as Speaker, David Adeang, may be seen against this light.