The will to serve the people and the constituency has compelled a 63-year-old High Chief of Lefagaoali'i and Samauga to make his first foray into politics.

In fact getting into politics was far from the mind of Sooalo Fineaso Poka Sooalo, but it was his desire to be of service to his people and constituency that led to him putting up his hand to stand for public office.

So'oalo is among five candidates who registered last Friday with the Office of the Electoral Commission (O.E.C.) to contest the Gagaifomauga No. 2 by-election scheduled for early next month. The seat became vacant following the sudden death of the late M.P. Vaele Paiaaua Iona Paiaaua Sekuini in March this year. 

Last Thursday So'oalo Poka was accompanied by elders of three villages – out of the six villages that make up the constituency – to meet with the leadership of the Human Rights Protection Party.

The H.R.P.P. deputy leader and executive members endorsed So'oalo Poka and one other candidate to contest under the banner of Samoa’s oldest political party. 

From the villages of Lefagaoali'i and Samauga in Savaii, So'oalo Poka as a former teacher in Savai’i who taught from 1980 to 1994. Born and bred on the big island, he is passionate about serving his community and feels that it is his time to serve his constituency as a Member of Parliament.

He expressed confidence that his service to the people, the village and the church speaks volumes and will help him secure victory in the by-election on 3 June 2022.

"I was chosen by the village of Samauga which also combines the village Lefagaoalii and Paia to step up and look after the village in the year 2014," So'oalo Poka said.

"Since then I have stayed in Savai’i and am doing just that – serving and looking after our family, village and taking leadership roles within the church. 

"All this time, I have noticed that every M.P. we’ve had were usually the ones residing in Upolu. 

“You don't get to see him or her often in the constituency, you would only see them when it's closer to another election.

"They just disappear after they win and only return when it's time for another election, that is something I want to change. 

“I want to represent our people in parliament. I want to honour and give justice to the trust they give to the people they vote for to represent them in parliament."

Looking ahead, in terms of his plans and policies for the constituency, So'oalo Poka said he will not make any election promises ahead of the by-election. 

"I don't make promises and I will not make any promises as I do not want to give people false hopes,” the aspiring politician told this newspaper. “What I can say is I have lived in Savai'i my whole life. 

"So I know basically everyone and everything about our constituency. The key areas we need to prioritise and things like that. 

"That is something we look at after the election, if I get chosen to represent our constituency."

The former M.P. for Gagaifomauga No. 2, the late Vaele was a member of the ruling Fa'atuatua i le Atua Samoa ua Tasi (FAST) party. 

Asked why he chose to run on the Opposition-aligned H.R.P.P. ticket, So'oalo said his constituency has always been a HRPP stronghold.

He added that he cannot go past the former government’s development of Samoa and Savai’i, which he said is commendable.

And while he acknowledged the leadership of Samoa’s first female Prime Minister, Fiame Naomi Mata’afa, he said he was only representing the wishes of the villages by going with the Opposition party.

So'oalo is up against one candidate endorsed by the F.A.S.T. in Lomia Tauloa Moafanua, two Independent candidates, Falesaopule Vaialia Iosua and Foisala Lilo and another H.R.P.P. candidate So'oalo Umi Mene. 

He is married to Fa'afetai and they have seven children.