Once again, we see hypocrites and parasites in Parliament pulling the wool over the people’s eyes. For weeks, the wave of discontent and vulgar obscenities targeting the Prime Minister of the Independent State of Samoa, Afioga Fiame Naomi Mataafa, has been relentless.
Leading the charge is faction leader La’auli Leuatea Schmidt, backed by his lieutenant Ale Vena Ale and their pro-Fast quasi-media bum squads. They have repeatedly called for Fiame’s resignation, labelling her as illegitimate and a phoney PM. Their demands for her to step down and hand over the reins seem nothing more than naive fantasies in the context of a real power struggle.
“We have no trust nor faith in Fiame’s leadership any longer. She caused the split in our party when she took on wrong advice from outside,” La’auli declared. “She must do the right thing and step down.”
An early opportunity presented itself on Tuesday, 25th February 2025, when HRPP moved a motion of no confidence against Fiame. But instead of backing it, La’auli and his faction voted against it.
So, what happened to all the declarations, threats, and promises to remove Fiame? Were they merely sugarcoated untruths to appease their supporters? Was this a calculated deception, or simply an act of political cowardice?
Tuila’epa called La’auli ‘Fa’agutugutulua,’ a derogatory term likening him to a snake with a two-pronged tongue. It endorsed the consistent accusations from his adversaries that he was a chronic liar, and this instance only strengthened that belief. His credibility is questioned at every turn, and the future remains uncertain on whether his word can ever be trusted again.
To be fair, La’auli appealed to the Opposition to withdraw the motion until the Amendment Bills before Parliament were addressed. His appeal was rejected by Tuila’epa Dr Sailele Malielegaoi, and the motion was soundly defeated—with La’auli’s faction voting it down.
Empty threats or just another chapter in Samoa’s political theatre? Time will tell.
