The rise of Tuilaepa as P.M.

Dear Editor,

Re: Palemene idolises P.M. as a servant 

Palemene Asa Segifili is one of the 99.99 per cent of happy Samoa people who adores the Hon. Prime Minister of our dear country, tõfā Fatialofa ‘Auêlua Tuila’epa Lolofie Lupesoli’ai Neioti Galumalemana ‘Ai’ono Chief Logohu Dr. Sa’ilele Malielegaoi.

As Mata’afa Keni Lesā resonates in his recent editorial about leadership and political stability in Samoa, that surely endures the quality of this great man who has been our leader for near 20 years as prime minister.

My vivid memory of an interview with the great leader live on air while he was the Minister of Finance and Deputy Prime Minister, I asked him why he waited for so long to enter parliament after he returned to Samoa decorated with an Honour and Master in Economic.

“I wouldn’t challenge Fatialofa Momo’e who was the Member of Parliament because he was the paramount chief of Lepa.”

“Why not?” I followed on.

“Because he was chosen by God and endorsed by the chiefs and orators of Lepa.” He responded.

He then took me into a journey in thy holy Devine to remind me he is also a master in Theology when he mentioned about David and Saul. He reiterates:

“The Israelites were demanding David to kill Saul and become King after the Israel armies were annihilated by the Philistines.”

“I don’t know.” I assured him. “But continue on,” I encouraged.

“I know you wouldn’t know because you don’t go to church Joe Hollywood.” He reminded me.

“It appears you know more about me than me to my own self.” I confirmed; I giggled then we both had a laughing session.

Then he told me about David going into the cave where Saul was sleeping and slashed a bit of his robe exiting to the waiting Israelites and said:

“I could have killed him but I am not able as Saul was chosen by God to be your King.

“My time will come.”

He told me after he served his bond to the government for his scholarship an opportunity had become available with the United Nations in Brussels.

He migrated with his family and relocated in Europe until the then Minister of Finance Vaovasamanaia Filipo and a delegation to Europe asked for him to return to Samoa to head the Treasury.

He could have been a millionaires by now if he had continued on with the United Nations but Tuila’epa heeded a call that his country needed him most as he was the only person with such a degree to help lift his country out of the doldrum.

He started to resettle back in Samoa with family then Fatialofa Momo’e passed on.

From there on, it is his time from God to lead Samoa.

If he had run against Fatialofa Momo’e, he would have won as he had told me in this interview there were matai in Lepa who asked him to run.

Just as the Israelites had done asking David to be their King, but Tuila’epa would not let his egos to overcome his good judgement.

After our interview in 1992 while working for Radio New Zealand, I knew this is The Chosen One.

I asked for his elevation in these pages and calling for the late Tofilau Eti Alesana to step aside.

Without a slightest doubt in my mind, this is the David; Lepa being the smallest electorate in Samoa, that’s another DAVID.

If ever I were not satisfied with this gentleman as the leader of Samoa, I would have run for parliament.

And then, first I had to be qualified as a candidate. That is not easy. Then I have to have voters to support me. Again that is even harder.

Should I overcome that, then I had to wait for the writ to confirm I didn’t bribe anyone. It’s a mammoth task to meet as a politician.

Hence, it’s so simple for one to become a “sporadic gutless faceless homo ghost” to write one word, two, three or one sentence, two, three but anymore the grammar is shambolic.

Just like a sporadic rows of bullets from a sniper hiding so low rather fighting the war like a real soldier.

 

Tofaeono Joe Hollywood 

Samoa Observer

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