Election Petition against Speaker of the House is Withdrawn

The Sui o le Nuu or Village Representative for Salua, stood in Court to express their willingness to have the petitions withdrawn out of respect for Auapaau who has since been given the honor of Speaker of the House.

News Source

October 14, 2025

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Tues 14 October 2025, Mulinuu Apia Samoa. The election petition alleging campaign corruption against the Speaker of the House, Hon Auapaau Mulipola Aloitafua, was withdrawn in the Supreme Court this morning. The petition was filed by HRPP candidate, Mulipola Leiataualesa Laki, who had held the Aiga-i-le-Tai seat in the last Parliamentary sitting, but lost to Auapaau by 1169 votes to 1103.

Talamua Online reports that the Sui o le Nu’u or Village Representative for Salua village, had made an intervention and pleaded to the Court for the petition be withdrawn on the basis that both parties are from the same village, and that the village, as well as the constituency, wanted to honour the position of Speaker (Fofoga Fetalai) now being held by a representative of Salua.

The Supreme Court accepted the withdrawal of Mulipola’s petition, as well as the counter-petition by the Speaker which had been filed by Mulipola against Auapaau.

As is due process of petition withdrawals, both parties must advertise a notice of withdrawal, and provide a copy of the advertisement when the matter is recalled on 23 October 2025.

Eight post-election petitions were filed alleging corruption in campaign practices of winning candidates during the recent Samoa general elections. Of the 8 petitions, four are by HRPP against FAST, three by FAST against HRPP and one by an Independent against FAST.

4 HRPP Petitions

Mulipola Leiataualesa Laki has now withdrawn his petition against Parliament Speaker Auapaau Aloitafua Mulipola of the Aiga-i-le-Tai.
Peseta Vaifou Tevaga against Vui Iiga Sione (FAST) of Faasaleleaga 5.
Tuiloma Tusa Laniselota Lameko filed a petition against Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Works & Infrastructure, Toelupe Poumulinuku Onesemo of Falealili 1.
Leaana Ronnie Posini filed a petition against woman candidate, Seve Tei Fuimaono of Safata 1.

3 FAST Petitions

Former Speaker of the House Papalii Li’o Teau Masipau has filed a petition against President of Lakapi Samoa and businessman Namulauulu Sami Leota (HRPP) of Faasaleleaga 3.
Magele Sekati Fiaui filed a petition against Va’aelua Senetenari Samau (HRPP) for Faasaleleaga 2.
Tamaleta Taimang Jensen against Lenatai Victor Tamapua (HRPP) for Vaimauga 2).

1 Independent Petition