EXPOSED: Deputy PM’s dealings to oust the Prime Minister

By Lagi Keresoma/

Apia, Samoa – 15 March 2025 – The FAST Leader Laaulialemalietoa Leuatea Polataivao Schmidt has revealed the Deputy Prime Minister, Tuala Iosefo Ponifasi’o’s alleged moves to oust Prime Minister Fiame Naomi Mataafa leading up to the Partys motion of no confidence against the Prime Minister.

Laauli was responding to the media’s questions on Tuala’s comments made in parliament on the Government’s motion to remove Parliament Speaker Papalii Li’o Ta’eu Masipa’u.

He referred to Tuala’s stance that the doctrine of necessity can be used to remove the Speaker when he refused to accept the Governments motion of no confidence against him and that the Speaker has no absolute power in parliament

Laauli refuted Tuala’s claim.

Laauli clarified that the doctrine of necessity which was used to swear in Fiame and the FAST government and Members of Parliament cannot be applied to the situation with the Speaker because the Government is in place and continuing its daily work despite the division in the FAST party.

“I am no lawyer but I have served as Speaker for 10 years and that is the law, a motion  of no confidence against the Speaker cannot happen, ” said Laauli.

He noted that the motion against the Speaker was the first time such a motion had happened.

He also clarified in a previous press conference that all the power of the Head of State (HOS) is vested on the Speaker.

Laauli said that Tuala’s action in parliament was to support Fiame, however, Laauli revealed Tuala’s moves behind the scenes allegedly making contact a number of times to meet up.

“He said he can bring the nine Cabinet Ministers so we can merge and defeat Fiame,” Laauli told the media.

“O le tagata mua lea le fa’agutugutulua, leva na vilivili mai mo se avanoa e ma te feiloai ai, ae sau ma aumai le toaiva lea e fa’apa’u ai Fiame,” said Laauli.

Tuala and  five other Cabinet Ministers including the Prime Minister were already expelled by the FAST Party as members on 15 January 2025.

“I did not want to meet him as I did not trust him so I assigned the Member of Parliament for Lefaga & Faleaseela to meet with him.”

Laauli said Tuala stands next to Fiame yet, his actions do not corroborate with what he says in support of Fiame.

When the Minister of Works Olo Fiti Vaai moved a motion against the Speaker and later led Cabinet out of Parliament in protest, Tuala stood by Fiame and were the only members of Cabinet who remained in the House.

Tuala played king-maker after the 2021 general elections breaking a 25-25 tie in the numbers between FAST and HRPP and Tuala chose to support FAST to form the Government and was given the position of Deputy Primer Minister.