The Human Rights Protection Party has announced it does not have a candidate for the Faleata No. 4 by-election after a potential contestant opted out and will run as an independent.

The H.R.P.P. leader Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi confirmed the party will also not field a candidate to go up against former M.P. Ale Vena Ale in the Faleata No. 4 constituency. 

During a party meeting on Friday, where candidates for the upcoming by-elections were unveiled, Tuilaepa emphasised that the party will not interfere with internal issues in the constituency and will respect their wishes. 

Former health director general Leausa Dr. Take Naseri will fly the H.R.P.P. flag as a candidate in the Vaa o Fonoti by-election while Tu'u'u Amaramo Sialaoa has been endorsed by the party for the Siumu by-election.

Tuilaepa said a meeting was held with the candidate who contested under the H.R.P.P. flag in the previous elections on Friday morning and now understands the reasons behind his reservations.  

He emphasised that one of the party’s bylaws is to recognise different customs and traditions from villages and respect their wishes to maintain peace and order. 

The candidate that the Opposition Leader referred to who informed the party he will run as an independent is Ulu Bismarck Crawley. Attempts by the Samoa Observer to get comments from Ulu were unsuccessful. 

Ulu contested under the H.R.P.P. banner in the 2021 General Election together with Ale Vena Ale also from H.R.P.P. Ale led the race by almost 300 votes and secured the Faleata No. 4 seat. However, he later resigned from the former ruling party when it failed to return to government, noting he was unhappy with the leadership of the party. 

Ale’s decision to resign from the party together with two other party members led to them vacating their seats after they accepted a parliamentary charge and triggered the by-elections.

A meeting of the village of Toamua was held last month, just before the three former members' court matter was withdrawn when the parties involved consented to return to by-elections. A video of the meeting which has been circulated on social media showed Ulu telling Ale he will sit out a by-election if he is still eligible to run. 

Ulu told the villagers that he had advised Ale to withdraw the legal matter. He added if Ale decides he will not run in the by-election he will then step up and run for office again. 

Ulu said they might support different parties but what is more important to him is the welfare of the village and their family. 

Contacted for a comment, Ale said he believes that Ulu is "a man of his word" and will not be influenced by others, even if he is offered $100 million.