The Member of Parliament for Safata West, Lea’ana Ronnie Posini will remain in the seat of Safata West for the next five years. 

This follows a decision by the former leader of the Tautua Samoa Party and Member of Parliament for Safata, Palusalue Fa’apo II to withdraw his electoral petition yesterday. 

The presiding judges were His Honour the Chief Justice Patu Tiava’asue Falefatu Sapolu and Justice Lesatele Rapi Va’ai. 

The petitioner Palusalue Fa’apo II was represented by his lawyer Tima Leavai while Pau Tafaogalupe Mulitalo represented the respondent, Lea’ana Ronnie Posini. 

Palusalue had accused the new Member of Parliament of bribery during the General Election on the 4th March 2016. 

While Ms Leavai informed the court that they were ready to proceed with the hearing, unfortunately she had just been informed by the petitioner that the petitioner had reconciled with the respondent and the constituency. 

In the interests of peace and harmony of the constituency,  Ms Leavai said the petitioner wished to withdraw his petition against the respondent.  

Chief Justice Patu asked the counsel for the respondent whether he would be seeking any costs.  Mr Mulitalo informed the court that in the spirit of the petition being withdrawn, he would not be seeking any costs from the petitioner. 

His Honour the Chief Justice said that with the advice from both counsels, withdrawal of the petition was noted.

He informed both counsels that the official process to withdraw the petition will take about two weeks.

An order was made by Chief Justice Patu that the notice of motion to withdraw the petition should be published in the newspaper tomorrow (today). 

“This matter will be re-mentioned on Tuesday 3rd May 2016 to give time for both parties to complete the withdrawal process set out in the petition rules.” 

Chief Justice acknowledged both counsels in their parts as lawyers in this matter. 

He also thanked the Safata West constituency for their support and their word of advice that changed the heart of the petitioner to withdraw his claim. 

Speaking to the Samoa Observer yesterday Palusalue thanked God because this was from God. 

“There’s no use praying to God to forgive if  we don’t forgive others,” said Palusalue. 

“Despite the law that has already been set out, it seems like our law is of no use because of our culture,” he added. 

He also said he’s been in the  seat for so long and he feels for the constituency and he believes that everything will be resolved. 

Palusalue said he is happy to see his constituency leave with excitement

Most of the constituency who have supported him for many years, are the same people who asked him to forgive and forget. 

Outside the court house yesterday the new Member of Parliament Lea’ana said he is very humble and thankful that Palusalue withdrew his petition. 

Lea’ana also said he believed that our culture is more important to others. 

He thanked the two Members of Parliament Palusalue and Manulesagalala for the good work and the developments in the constituency. 

He is also hoping that he will continue the good work that they’ve started and look at other ways to develop not only his constituency, but Samoa as well.