The son of the outgoing Speaker of the House who recently won the Aana Alofi No. 2 seat in the hopes of continuing his father’s legacy has instead resigned from office and will decline to contest the resulting by-election.

Elected Member of Parliament for Aana Alofi No. 2, Aiono Afaese Toleafoa, revealed his decision to discontinue his political career just minutes before his election petition trial was called. 

Aiono told his villagers and members of the constituency that he has accepted the terms and conditions from his Fa’atuatua ile Atua Samoa ua Tasi (F.A.S.T.) party rival. 

Lolomatauama Eseta Mataituli outlined the terms when she responded to request from Aiono and his supporters to forego the legal challenges to maintain peace and harmony in the constituency. The vocal F.A.S.T. candidate made it clear that if Aiono does not resign from office and sit out the election in the next 5 years then there is no deal. 

Lolomatauama raised issued with the constituency’s electoral roll claiming that there are many voters registered on the roll that do not reside in the district but continue to cast votes there. 

She said this has to be addressed and should not continue. 

Aiono responded that he has accepted the terms from the F.A.S.T. candidate. 

In tears, the Speaker’s son said he too contested because he wants to serve his village and the constituency regardless of which political parties they contest in. 

The petition was adjourned from Monday morning to afternoon to allow the parties involved to negotiate and settle the election dispute. 

It was called again in the afternoon before Justice Niava Mata Tuatagaloa and Justice Fepuleai Ameperosa Roma.

Lawyer Fuimaono Sarona Ponifasio acting for Lolomatauama told the Court that the parties have reached an agreement in principle.

She asked the court to adjourn the matter until Tuesday to prepare the documents for the parties involved to sign before they can officially ask to discontinue the case. 

Lawyer Arthur Lesa represented Aiono. 

Aiono is facing 15 claims of bribery and treating while Lolomatauama is accused of four counts of bribery. 

A businessman, Aiono is the son of the outgoing Speaker Leaupepe Fa’afisi Toleafoa who retired after serving nearly 30 years in Parliament.

Aiono contested alongside two other H.R.P.P. members and one Tautua Samoa candidate.

He took the lead with more than 500 votes, followed by the Faatuatua i le Atua Samoa ua Tasi candidate, Lolomatauama Eseta Matatuli with 289 votes.

He won the Aana Alofi No. 2 seat taking over from his father, Leaupepe, 73, who served three terms as Speaker of the Legislative Assembly and had a long political career inside and out of Parliament since 1991.

Lolomatauama on the other hand is a teacher by profession who specialises on children with special needs is the sole female candidate in the recent election. 

The 68-year-old mother contested previous ran for office in the past and this is her second time running in the election.