“The country can be the judge of that. I believe, however, that whoever knocks and keeps knocking, the door will eventually open” – Lavea Peseta Lua Nafo’i
It’s official.
Lavea Peseta Lua Nafo’i will fly the Tautua Samoa Party’s flag for the Gagaifomauga No. 1 by-election.
During a press conference yesterday, Lavea said he is confident about his chances against four candidates from the Human Rights Protection Party (H.R.P.P).
“There is a lot I can offer my constituency and I stand ready to voice their needs and concerns in Parliament,” he said.
“Their views will not be suppressed. If my constituency is unhappy about certain laws they don’t support, I will voice their views without any restrictions.”
Lavea dismissed the notion that the constituencies of opposition M.P.s do not get help as they should.
“The country can be the judge of that,” he said. “I believe, however, that whoever knocks and keeps knocking, the door will eventually open.”
Lavea is a founding member of Tautua Party. In fact, he is Secretary of the party.
Away from politics, he is works as the Manager of Fixed Services Network Operation at Bluesky Samoa.
The Tautua Samoa leader, Palusalu’e Fa’apo II, and other M.Ps for the Party congratulated Lavea for his courage to represent Tautua.
Palusalue acknowledged that many candidates refuse to run for the Opposition.
“Their thinking is that once you run for the Opposition, the government won’t do anything for your constituency,” he said.
“But that is not true. We advise the government and the government does their duty to do work for any constituency and work to service our country.”
Tautua Whip, Lealailepule Rimoni Aiafi, agreed.
He said that while the Tautua Party is often labeled as “anti government and (a group that) stirs up matters,” it is a known fact that a “strong government needs a strong opposition party.”
Asked about Prime Minister Tuilaepa Sa’ilele Malielegaoi’s claim that Gagaifomauga No. 1 has always backed the H.R.P.P, Palusalue said this was not true.
“Before Gaina’s term, there was an Opposition member that occupied the seat before him,” said Palusalue.
“Tuilo’a was an independent member until he was approached by the H.R.P.P to join their party so the claims from the Prime Minister are unfounded.”
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The member that Palu was referring to is Timu Lafaele who was an M.P for the Samoan National Development Party (S.N. D.P).
Gaina Tino, a former Minister of Justice and Legislative Assembly, is the H.R.P.P’s leading candidate.
Next up is the former Chief Executive Officer of Radio 2.A.P Faimalotoa Kolotita Stowers, who is 64-years-old. The third candidate is the General Manager of Tanu Beach
Fales in Manase, Taito Vaea Tanu.
The fourth candidate is Lavea Leti.
The by-election will be held on Friday 15 August 2014.
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