Former Cabinet Minister eyes Parliament return

Former Cabinet Minister, Tuisugaletaua Sofara Aveau, has confirmed his return to the political arena at the 2021 General Election and restated his allegiance to the Human Rights Protection Party (H.R.P.P.).

The 67-year-old is contesting the Vaimauga No. 1 seat, which is currently held by Sulamanaia Tauiliili Tuivasa, a first-term Parliamentarian.

Despite not completing his registration process on Friday, Tuisugaletaua confirmed his intentions of sticking to the H.R.P.P.

Accompanied by his wife, Salâ Seutatia Aveau, the candidate said he was not threatened by any challengers from his constituency, saying: "I just want to wish them all the best."

Both of the challengers to the seat, including Tuisugaletaua, are no political outsiders. 

The other is a former election candidate and businessman, Fuatimau Maumea Leniu.  

The constituency of Vaimauga No. 1 is made up of Fagali'i, Vailele, Vailele Uta, Letogo and Laulii.

During his time away from Parliament, Tuisugaletaua played a pivotal role in reviving the Samoan banana industry as the president of the Banana Growers Association. In 2018, Samoa shipped its first bananas to New Zealand in 50 years.

He is also a patron of the Samoa Victim Support Group (S.V.S.G.), playing an advisory role in the Advocacy Program for men referred from Court.

Tuisugaletaua was the Minister of Communication and Information Technology from 2011 to 2016 before he was taken off the seat by Sulamanaia, who is also from H.R.P.P., after the 2016 General Election.

In 2014, Tuisugaletaua wrote the theme song for the United Nations Small Island Developing States (S.I.D.S.) summit which garnered quite a positive reaction from the world.

The Minister of Information, Communication and Technology at the time, wrote the words for 'There Is Hope' and his wife Salâ composed the music.

Tuisugaletaua is also a former Minister of Works, Infrastructure and Transportation and a former Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries.