The Whip of the Tautua Samoa Party, Lealailepule Rimoni Aiafi, has refused to deny or confirm reports that he might switch political parties for next year’s General Elections.
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Lealailepule, however, confirmed being asked by his constituency of Faleata West to run for the Human Rights Protection Party (H.R.P.P).
But he maintained that his allegiance is firmly with the Opposition party for now.
“The thing is that I don’t know why people keep asking me the same question,” Leala responded when the Samoa Observer approached him.
“I will wait until next year.”
A hugely popular Member of Parliament for his personality, Leala admitted he has a lot of friends in the H.R.P.P.
“I’m a friendly guy,” he said. “I have a lot of friends and many of them are in the H.R.P.P. That’s just how I am.”
Leala also confirmed that he has been pressured by his constituency and family to change his party.
“I haven’t made a decision yet, I’m still with Tautua,” he said. “I told them pray to God to tell us what to do.
“I’m good and happy where I am and how I started my career. I’ve contributed in the development of the government (through advice and criticisms) and I speak my mind.
“But will see in moving forward.
At the same time I have to look at my constituency’s needs and what they want.” Leala said he would make a decision when the right time arrives.
“I will cross that bridge when we get there,” he said.
Asked how the Tautua Party was preparing for the election, Leala said it’s doing well.
But he added that they need to be “more aggressive now that election is near. There are so many issues and that is what we should look at.”
Contacted about the state of the Tautua Party yesterday, leader Palusalue Fa’apo II said everything was fine.
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