Samoa's former prime minister Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi. Photo: Samoa Govt
Samoa Prime Minister Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi has confirmed he will be running in the 2021 General Elections.
The announcement pours cold water on recent rumours he will be retiring from political life.
The 74 year-old leader made the announcement soon after his ruling Human Rights Protection Party unanimously elected him to lead the party into the polls.
According to TV1 Samoa, Tuilaepa said he has decided to stay in the leaders post to stop corrupt practices by some people who are hoping to "do their bad deeds" once he is gone.
He said all 43 members of the caucus voted for him to lead the party for a record fifth election.
The Prime Minister confirmed that so far the HRPP will be fielding 93 candidates, and challenged other political parties to take his party's lead and start naming their candidates.
At least five parties have registered with the Office of the Electoral Commissioner for the next elections.
If he is returned next year, Tuilaepa will become the longest serving Parliamentarian in the country and the Pacific region.
He will certainly become the longest serving Prime Minister since Samoa gained Independence in 1962.