Three traditional leaders of Ta’u County in Manu’a have challenge the selection of Nuanuaolefeagaiga Saoluaga T. Nua to hold one of the two senatorial seats for the Manu’a District No. 1, which comprises Faleasao, Ta’u and Fitiuta counties.

The complaint by Ta’u chiefs Lefiti Atiulagi Pese, Maui Aloali’i and Tauese Va’aomala K. Sunia for themselves and on behalf of the Ta’u County Council was filed Dec. 30, 2016 in Trial Division of the High Court. Also listed in the complaint as a “Party of Interest” in this case is Faleasao County traditional leader Vaitautolu Liuigalua.

As previously reported by Samoa News, it was Thanksgiving Day last year, that traditional leaders of Manu’a District No. 1 met at Malaetele, the traditional meeting grounds, at Ta’u village to select its senators for the next four years.

Nuanuaolefeagaiga, who is from Ta’u, told Samoa News after the meeting that he along with Sen. Galeai Tu’ufuli, of Fitiuta county have been returned to the Senate.  The two senators, along with their colleagues in the Senate were sworn into office on Jan. 3 this year.

However, plaintiffs disagree and requested the court to declare Nuanuaolefeagaiga’s selection null and void.

Nuanuaolefeagaiga is the Senate President Pro Tempore, or Senate Vice President, and therefore he is also chairman of the Senate Rules Committee. See details of plaintiffs’ complaint in Monday’s edition while the defendant’s response will appear in Tuesday’s edition.