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Update: Western District Governor choice now up to the governor

Ni isi o sui o le Falelima i Sisifo ina ua mae’a le fonotaga i le vaiaso na te’a nei e saili ai se latou Kovana Itumalo. [ata AF]
Translated by Samoa News staff

With Western District traditional leaders unable to reach a consensus last Friday morning on who would be the next Western District Governor, it was agreed that the final decision would be given to Gov. Lolo Matalasi Moliga to make.

Three names are being presented to the governor to decide on for the next Western District Governor: Tuiasina S. Esera of Tualatai county, Fuamatu J.V. Fuamatu of Alataua county and Leatualevao S. Asifoa of Leasina/Aitulagi county. All three traditional leaders are former senators.

As previously reported by Samoa News, it was during a meeting last month of traditional leaders of Western District that Paramount Chief Satele Galu Satele Sr., was given the honor of appointing the Western District Governor, to fill the seat left vacant following the death early this year of Lualemaga Faoa.

After the meeting, which was held at Vailoatai, Satele told Samoa News that he has appointed Tuiasina to the post of Western District Governor. However, only five Western District traditional leaders signed the certification document for Tuiasina, while many others declined.

Because of the disagreement, Secretary of Samoan Affairs Mauga T. Asuega called a meeting held last Friday morning at the Office of Samoan Affairs conference room to reach a decision on the choice for the next Western District Governor.

At the start of the meeting, Mauga emphasized the importance of traditional Samoan practices and protocols especially among traditional leaders, who bring the community together in a peaceful and harmonious way.

Thereafter, Mauga left and the meeting got underway, but it became very contentious at times. Satele, a titular leader and current senator, led the meeting where those who spoke raised their voices, but Satele maintained his stand that Tuiasina is the next district governor.

Several traditional leaders voiced their sadness over Satele’s decision in appointing Tuiasina to the post, but that was not a consensus reached by the district at last month’s meeting in Vailoatai.

Tualauta traditional leader, Sen. Magalei Logovi’i said that the Western District had given Satele the honor of District Governor, but not only did Satele turn it down but then turned around and appointed someone from his Tualatai county to the post, while leaders from other Western District counties wanted someone from their county to hold the post of district governor.

This was echoed by Fofo traditional leader, Sen. Faiivae A. Godinet, saying that this is the reason why he didn’t sign the certification document for Tuiasina because there was no decision made at last month’s meeting at Vailoatai for Tuiasina to be district governor.

Tuiasina Dr. Salamo Laumoli apologized to traditional leaders if the Western District’s name has been tainted by the appointment of his relative, Tuiasina S. Esera, to the post. He ssaid that the decision to appoint a new district governor was not made by traditional leaders of Tualatai county, but was made between Satele and Tuiasina S. Esera.

Alataua county traditional leader, Savali Talavou Ale, who is also House Speaker, said Alataua maintains that it should be given the chance for the district governor, but Leasina/ Aitulagi county traditional leader Sen. Tuiagamoa Tavai argued for his county to continue the post. (Lualemaga Faoa is from Leasina/Aitulagi county.)

Towards the end of the meeting, Leasina/ Aitulagi traditional leader Moananu Va presented the district governor post to Satele, who again rejected it, saying that until the day he dies he will never return to the Office of Samoan Affairs, because of what happened to him in the past — referring to when he was replaced by the Lolo Administration as Secretary of Samoan Affairs with Mauga, a few years back.

Satele said he is very saddened to see that after the meeting in April where it was left up to his Tualatai county for the next district governor, but it appears no one is honoring his wishes. He also said that he will never change his mind when it comes to his selection of Tuiasina S. Esera as district governor.

After other traditional leaders spoke, it was decided that the three names will be presented to Lolo to decide on the next Western District Governor.

It’s unclear as to when the names will be presented to Lolo and when Lolo will make a decision.