Three Cabinet Ministers were defeated on Friday during the General Elections.

One of the upsets involved the Minister of Communications and Information Technology, Tuisugaletaua Aveau Sofara.

He lost the seat to newcomer, Sulamanaia Tauiliili Tuivasa. 

During the preliminary count for the constituency of Vaimauga East, Tuisuga polled 813 votes while Sulamanaia collected 938 votes. 

Speaking to the Samoa Observer, the long time public servant, Sulamanaia, is grateful.

In acknowledging the support of his constituency, family and villages, Sula said he had resigned from work because he was committed to being a part of a group of people who make the laws for Samoa.

Asked if he had expected the outcome, the former employee of the Ministry of Revenue said he had prayed for it. 

“We had prayed for it and it’s the other reason why I resigned,” he said. 

“This would be the next step of my life and being 50 years old I want to make use of what I have left before I retire.”

Sula has been a public servant for 33 years. 

According to him, the position has been held by other villages of Vaimauga East and it was about time for Letogo to take it back. 

 He said it has been more than twenty years since the position was held by Tuisuga of Fagalii and former M.P of Vaimauga, Leniu Tofaeono of Lauli’i. 

According to Sula, his ancestors had held the position and it has been his goal to follow that pathway. 

In an earlier interview, Sula had challenged Tuisuga saying other villages like Letogo and Vailele had not received the basic needs such as clean water supply and access roads.  

It was not possible to get a comment from Tuisuga yesterday.