[3] He became a nominated member of the Legislative Council in 1959 and subsequently returned to the civil service and became Deputy Secretary for Fijian Affairs in 1961.

In his letter of resignation, addressed to Queen Elizabeth II, Ganilau wrote: "With humble duty, I wish to submit to you the following advice, acting in my capacity as your representative in Fiji.

Owing to the uncertainty of the political and constitutional situation in Fiji, I have now made up my mind to request Your Majesty to relieve me of my appointment as Governor-General with immediate effect.

This I do with utmost regret, but my endeavours to preserve constitutional government in Fiji have proved in vain, and I can see no alternative way forward.

[3] He saw to the appointment of the interim civilian government that was to lead Fiji for a five-year transitional period of constitutional change.

He remained President and head of state until his death in 1993, though ill-health had forced him to hand over most of his day-to-day functions to the vice-president, Ratu Sir Kamisese Mara, in 1992.

A scion of the chiefly Ai Sokula clan, Ganilau was installed in 1988 as the fourteenth Tui Cakau,[3] the traditional ruler of Cakaudrove Province.

As a statesman, Ganilau was regarded as a moderate conservative, upholding the traditions of the chiefly system but embracing modern political institutions.