Cabinet walk out of parliament after Speaker rejects motion to remove him

Apia, Samoa – 7 March 2025 – The Minister of Works, Olo Fiti Vaai led Cabinet ministers to walk out of parliament this morning after the Speaker Papali’i Li’o Ta’eu Masipa’u rejected Cabinets motion to remove him and the Deputy Speaker.

Olo moved the motion quoting conflicts of interest and favouritism, signed by all of Cabinet and demanded it be tabled and discussed in this morning’s session.

However, the Speaker responded in a letter to Olo last night that the motion was rejected.

Olo asked for a clarification of his reasons in parliament, the Speaker explained that Sections 49 and 58 of the Constitution cited as basis of his removal, had no clearcut reasons to remove or move a motion of no confidence against the Speaker and Deputy Speaker.

He said, this was unlike the removal of the Prime Minister which “no confidence” is in expressed words in the Constitution.

Olo followed up pushing for the rejection of the three motions to be accepted as a record of parliament but the Speaker ruled against it.

Deputy Prime Minister Tuala Iosefo Ponifasio brought a legal argument to the debate but the Speaker said that this was parliament and not a court room. Following a shouting exchange, referring to his conflict of interest, the Speaker told the Deputy Prime Minister that he was free to take the matter to court.

The Prime Minister who questioned the Speaker’s neutrality and conflict of interest in yesterdays’ session, asked if his decision this morning meant there was no chance of the motion being tabled and discussed in parliament especially that the motion was against him.

The Speaker again explained his decision based on the Constitution.

Olo then took the floor and said that the Speakers’ explanation is clear in rejecting three government motions. Then declared that Cabinet was leaving parliament and the ministers left except the Prime Minister and Deputy Prime Minister.

The Prime Minister then told parliament that it was difficult for parliament’s work to progress when there are conflicts of interest. And if the government walks out, it means it will seek other avenues to address the issue.

Anoamaa MP Alaiasa Sepulona Moananu prayed for a traditional resolution to the issue and requested for parliament to adjourn – “moe le toa”, so time can bring fresh thoughts and approaches in resolving the issue.

FAST Leader Laauli Leuatea Polataivao pointed out that this was a plan mooted outside parliament then supported Alaiasa’s request to adjourn.

This was supported by the Prime Minister and Parliament adjourned sine die after a 42-minute-long session.

Had the motion been discussed and voted on, the Speaker and Deputy Speaker would have been removed as the Government and the HRPP Opposition Party planned to combine to support the motion.