Former Speaker withdraws election petition

Staff Reporters/

Apia, Samoa – 20 October 2025 – The election petition field by the former Speaker, Papalii Lio Taeu Masipau against Namulauulu Papalii Sami Leota who won the Faasaleleaga 3 election on 29 August was withdrawn in the Supreme Court this morning. Namulau’ulu also withdrew his counter petition against Papalii.

The court has ordered the petitioner and respondent to publish a public notice of withdrawal and for the matter to come before the court again on 30 October to complete the withdrawal legal process.

It is the third of eight election petitions that have been withdrawn since the hearing of election petitions started last Monday.

Meanwhile, 17 witnesses for the former MP for Safata 1, Leaana Ronnie Posini started taking the stand today in the case Leaana filed against the Minister of the Environment, Seve Tei Fuimaono, alleging election bribery.

Four other cases yet to be heard include the petition against the Deputy Prime Minister, Toelupe Maoiautele Poumulinuku Onesemo; the Minister of Agriculture, Maiava Fuimaono Tito; the Vaimauga 3 MP, Lenatai Victor Faafoi Tamapua and the petition against the Faasalaleleaga 2 MP, Vaaelua Senetenari Samau.