Swearing-In of New MP for Gagaifomauga No 2 into Parliament of Samoa

June 22, 2022

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The swearing-in of the new Member of Parliament for Gagaifomauga No 2, Foisala Lilo Tuu Ioane, was held at the Maota Fono on Tuesday morning 21 June 2022 in a special sitting attended by his family, friends and constituency.

The Speaker announced that under 84(2) of the Electoral Act, the Head of State has issued a warrant dated 04 June 2022, for the appointment of Foisala Lilo Tuu Ioane as a Member of the Parliament of Samoa.

Foisala Lilo Tuu Ioane took his oath before Parliament..

“O a’u o Foisala Lilo Tuu Ioane, Oute tauto atu i Le Atua e ou le malosi uma lava, o lea ou faamaoni ma tauaveina tonu le lotonu’u faamaoni i le malo tutoatasi o Samoa ma o lea ou faataunuuina ma le tatau ou tiute e avea ai au ma sui usufono o le Palemene o Samoa, Ia fesoasoani mai Le Atua ia te au.”

New MP for Gagaifomauga No 2 Foisala Lilo Tuu Ioane swearing-in to Parliament of Samoa. Photo: Palemene o Samoa

The deputy leader of the Human Right Protection Party HRPP Hon Lauofo Fonotoe Nuafesili Pierre took the floor to welcome the MP. Fonotoe said striving to be in Parliament was not an easy path.

“You have fought the battle and won”

“Ua e tauina le taua ma ua e manumalo”.

“O ou mama na ma ia faamanuia Le Atua i lou tofi, faamanuia lou tulai mai, ia maua le upega lauga, maua le tofa ma le faautaga aua se ai o le itumalo o Samoa.”

Foisala Lilo Tuu Ioane greeted everyone and delivered a warm welcome speech on his first day in the Parliament. He acknowledged the constituency’s late MP Hon Vaele Paiaaua Sekuini who passed away unexpectedly in March this year. He thanked the late Vaele for his good service and for all that he had done for Gagaifomauga No 2.

“E le mafai ona ou laa loa i fau ae faagalo si ou uso a faipule ia Vaele Paiaaua Sekuini, o le sa tu i le too ae ua auina e Le Atua. Malo mo le tauasaina o le ta nofoa mo lenei paeaega, malo le tau. Ae sau ina alu ia e muamua i lo tatou nuu ua uma ona tofi.”

Foisala Lilo Ioane ran the by-election as an Independent candidate, however, he joined the ruling FAST party and was officially welcomed at a traditional ceremony earlier this week.