Former Tautua Samoa chief whip Lealailepule Rimon Aiafe (rear) and the Minister of Health, Tuitama Talaleilei Tuitama. Photo: RNZI / Autagavaia Tipi Autagavaia
The chief whip for the opposition Tautua Samoa party has crossed the floor to the ruling Human Rights Protection Party for the upcoming general election.
The announcement by the MP for Faleata West, Lealailepule Rimoni Aiafi, ends months of speculation that developed after he was seen with the prime minister, Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi.
Lealailepule, who has been a Tautua Samoa MP for a decade, said the party's leader had given him his blessings to move.
He said the move to governing party was the right thing to do for his constituency.
"Politics in Samoa, I believe, is a totally different playing field from other democratic nations. And I believe that under the leadership of Tuilaepa the country is getting stronger and stronger. I have contributed immensely when I was in opposition, but I believe I would like to offer the same contribution at another level within government."