H.R.P.P. party crumbling as 2 M.P.s opt for independence
INDEPENDENT: Veteran politicians and senior Members of Parliament Ale Vena Ale and Tuuu Anasii Leota.
Photo: Eyespy Radio / Tina Mata'afa-Tufele Elise
In what appears to be the crumble of the Human Rights Protection Party (H.R.P.P.), two senior Members of Parliament (M.P.s) Ale Vena Ale (Faleata No. 4) and Tuuu Anasii Leota (Siumu) have left the party and declared their independence as politicians.
Ale and Tuuu called a press conference on Thursday afternoon at the Millenia Hotel to announce their departure from H.R.P.P. “effective today,” Ale told reporters.
The H.R.P.P. is already in dire straits with Opposition Leader Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi and H.R.P.P. Secretary Lealailepule Rimoni Aiafi serving a two-year suspension from Parliament without pay.
The bombshell announcement from the veteran Parliamentarians revealed long brewing tensions within the H.R.P.P. party that trace back to preparations for the 2021 General Election.
The party is going downhill due to H.R.P.P. leader and former Prime Minister Tuilaepa and they cannot jeopardise the rights of their electoral constituencies, the M.P.s said.
“H.R.P.P. is going down! Tuilaepa is the damaging factor in the H.R.P.P. party!,” Ale exclaimed.
“There is no future in the H.R.P.P. party! He has no thoughts of making any of us the leader of the H.R.P.P. party.”
Ale has known Tuilaepa for the last 40 years as politicians and good friends but the party “is no longer the same,” he said.
It is common practice for Tuilaepa to dismiss any conflicting views from fellow party members and “cannot be advised (e le fautuaina),” said Ale.
“It does not matter what is on the agenda for any meeting, Tuilaepa changes it and does as he pleases,” he said.
“So he does what he wants and this is where we are.”
The Opposition leader knew full well that he opposed having H.R.P.P. field numerous candidates in the 2021 General
But H.R.P.P. fielded more than one candidate while the Faatuatua i le Atua Samoa ua Tasi (F.A.S.T.) party field one candidate in each race.
“In 2021, Tuilaepa knows I was against taking so many candidates to run in the 2021 General Election. But he was so high minded that the election was pre-determined and overly confident that the H.R.P.P. would rule again,” said Ale.
During the 2021 General Election, H.R.P.P. lost its majority power in Parliament and after the by-elections that followed court petitions, H.R.P.P. was still the House minority, Tuuu said.
“When you look at governments of foreign nations, when the leader of a government loses (an election), the leader concedes and leaves office. There are no questions about what the leader must do – the leader must leave,” said Tuuu.
Tuilaepa’s knowledge, smarts and track record are “unmatched” and it cannot be disputed that the Opposition leader has done a great many things for Samoa when he served as Prime Minister, Tuuu added.
“Tuilaepa did a great many good, wonderful things when he was the leader of this country...everything has its season,” said Tuuu.
“There is the belief that no one else can lead this party. That is sad. There are many H.R.P.P. M.P.s who can lead the party...this is the second year...the party s not moving forward, it is going backward.”
Tuuu emphasised he has no interest in joining another party.
“I am declaring my independence,” he said.
Tuuu expressed his support for the $1 million tala earmarked for development in each electoral constituency.
The $1 million funding is a good opportunity for the districts to make improvements where needed, he said.
Tuuu’s choice to go independent will better serve his constituents who put them in Parliament, he noted
Ale made it clear that “We are not F.A.S.T., not H.R.P.P., not any other party, we are independent.”
“We don’t want to be tied down by a political party. We have to express ourselves,” he said.
Both independent M.P.s said they spoke to their villages and electoral constituencies before their announcement on Thursday.
Ale and Tuuu said they have received the support of their constituents to leave the H.R.P.P. party and declare their independence.
Faleata No. 4 and Simumu constituents trust in the M.P.s will make whatever decision is best for their villages, electors and the nation, Ale and Tuuu said.
“I have informed my village of Saina and Toamua, my constituency of my plan to depart the party...they have given me their support to leave the H.R.P.P. party...they trust that I will go what is good for the nation,” said Ale.
Siumu constituents are supportive of his decision, Tuuu said.
“My constituency does not vote along party lines. They vote based on the person,” he said.
“The person’s work speaks for itself. My constituency has chosen me and they know my decision is one that will be good for the country.”
Tulaepa could have change the tide in the party after its defeat in the 2021 General Election but he refused to be humble.
The Opposition leader should have exercised patience, kept the peace and placed his faith that God would work things out for it is God who grants authority unto leaders, Tuuu said.
If the dramatic move by Ale and Tuuu is allowed under the law remains to be seen.
“I think the path I have announced today, it will lead us to court procedures,” Ale said.