Speaker let off the hook

SAMOA – Samoa’s Speaker of Parliament is a relieved man.

Leaupepe Tole’afoa Fa’afisi, MP for Aana Alofi No. 1 West, will serve out the rest of the parliamentary term in his role of Speaker following a village meeting this week where a decision was reached to withdraw a petition against him.

Filed by former Member of Parliament and unsuccessful candidate, Aiono Tile Gafa, the petition accused Leaupepe of corrupt election practices, alleging that his agents committed bribery with the purpose of inducing voters.

Aiono said he was more concerned about the future of the constituency because he found out that many names on the election roll did not belong there.

“My concern is that the future of Fasito’o-uta will be determined by people who don’t belong here,” he said. “Although it was a difficult decision to file a petition but I wanted to correct this wrong.”

Nonetheless, Aiono said he had accepted the advice from the village and that he should withdraw the petition.

He also wished Leaupepe all the best and urged him to lead with love and always think about what is best for the people of their constituency.

Prime Minister Tuilaepa Sa’ilele Malielegaoi,who attended the village meeting, praised Aiono’s decision.

“Thank you Aiono,” he said, “you are a true hero.”

He thanked Aiono for having a kind heart to forgive and forget, and for stepping up to support the return of their member of parliament, who is now the Speaker of the House.

Tuilaepa also thanked the village mayor and village council.

Leaupepe said he was extremely grateful: “I am very thankful that we have reached an agreement. Aiono is a brother to me and we always do things together, in the village and in the church as well.”

One of the village chiefs, Su’a Iosefa, said the outcome of the meeting yesterday was only possible because of God.

Su’a said the differences between the two political candidates could have led to a split in the village because both men are well respected and are very influential in the decision making.

During the March general election, Aiono polled 446 votes while Leaupepe had 570 votes.

Aiono’s petition was one of six petitions before the Courts at Mulinu’u.

The hearing of the petitions are scheduled for this week.

- Samoa Observer