Safata 2 chiefs want no other FAST candidate to run against Tuia

By Lagi Keresoma/

Apia, SAMOA – 25 May 2026: Another by-election will be triggered when the Safata 2 Member of Parliament, Tuia Paepae Letoa resigns in this week’s parliament session.

Last Friday, the Alii ma Faipule of Safata 2 district presented their MP to the FAST Party after he resigned from the Opposition Human Rights Protection Party under which he entered parliament in the August 2025 general elections.

In presenting their MP, the chiefs and orators asked the Chairman of the Fa’atuatua I le Atua Samoa ua Tasi (FAST) party, Prime Minister Laaulialemalietoa Leuatea Polataivao Schmidt, to let Tuia be the only candidate for the FAST Party if there is a by-election.

The district orator who spoke on behalf of the district said not to let another candidate run under FAST beside Tuia.

He said the district unanimously supported Tuia.

Safata MP, Tuia Pua Letoa meeting the FAST Cabinet Ministers after the presentation.

Tuia is no stranger to politics as he was the winning candidate from last years general election.

Running under the HRPP flag in last years’ general election, Tuia defeated two other candidates to claim the district seat.

However, Tuia said he has listened to the wishes of the district and complied with their wish to switch party allegiances.

He has resigned from HRPP and will officially resign from Parliament when it reconvenes this week.

The FAST family welcomed Tuia to the team and Laaulialemalietoa acknowledged the districts decision and Tuia’s bold move to listen to the district.