Dear Editor,

Does Laauli think his apology changes anything? Does he think his sudden decision to “honour” the Prime Minister’s authority erases the chaos he caused? Let me tell him something—Samoa sees right through him.

When Fiame gave him the chance to step aside—gracefully, temporarily—it wasn’t a dismissal. It was a lifeline. A chance for him to clear his name in court and uphold the integrity of the Cabinet. But he spat on that opportunity. He chose rebellion. He chose defiance. He chose to rally his supporters, not for the good of the country, but for his ego.

And now, after dragging Samoa through this unnecessary turmoil, he dares to stand there and act like he had made some noble choice by stepping down. No, Laauli. This wasn’t honour. This wasn’t humility. This was damage control.

Why didn’t he step aside when Fiame first asked? Why didn’t he show the same “honour” then? Was it pride? Was it arrogance? Or did he think he could bluff his way into a showdown, activate Section 33, and force a vote of no-confidence? It wouldn’t have worked. Samoa would see Fiame through any election. Her constituency has her back, while Laauli's would be left questioning his motives, loyalty, and worth as a leader.

His actions were not just an insult to Fiame—they were a betrayal of Samoa itself. The Prime Minister, the Cabinet, the people—he turned his back on all of them. He tried to destabilise the government, the very institution he was supposed to protect. And for what? To satisfy his wounded pride? To prove a point? This wasn’t leadership, Laauli. This was selfishness, plain and simple.

And let’s not pretend this is new. We’ve seen this before. Laauli has abandoned the post. He has abandoned the people. he has left the country to fend for itself while he gallivanted overseas, fundraising in America, Australia, and New Zealand. And now, when he is cornered when the truth can no longer be spun in his favour, he suddenly wants to play the honourable leader? Samoa isn’t buying it. We see right through him.

This isn’t about you, Laauli. This isn’t about your party or your bruised ego. This is about Samoa. This is about the rule of law, accountability, and governance. If you cannot grasp that—if your pride blinds you to the responsibilities of leadership—then you have no place in it.

Your apology doesn’t fix the damage you’ve done. It doesn’t erase the betrayal. Samoa will remember this moment, Laauli. We’ll remember how you put yourself above the people. Above the Prime Minister. Above the nation. We see right through you. And no amount of spin will change that.

Liva Seiuli