By Staff Writer
A falling out between the Human Rights Protection Party leadership and breakaway MP Maulolo Tavita Amosa, has stirred uncertainties over the political opposition unity.
The Sagaga le Usoga constituency MP, asserted he is still with the party despite claims that he has walked away to form his own political party.
“ Officially I am still with the HRPP until Parliament is dissolved on the 3rd of June,” MP Maulolo assured Newsline Samoa Online early Saturday morning.
‘Where I go from there, depends largely on what the toeaiina’ (traditional leadership of chiefs and orators) of my constituency village of Afega decides,” MP Maulolo clarified.
The MP did confirm simmering frictions with leaders of the party but did not want to go into details.
He did admit that his heart is still with the HRPP and took special note of the many “good things” they did for the development of Samoa over the many years of Government rule.
MP Maulolo still holds in high regard also the outstanding quality of his many political colleagues in the party and how well they worked together.
“There is a lot of good material in the party and I believe that I too gave the best of myself as well – body, heart and soul.”
The HRPP General Secretary, MP Lealailepule Rimoni Aiafi did not have much to say about why MP Maulolo left.
“He left on his own freewill,” he reacted off-handedly to a Newsline Samoa Online enquiry.
MP Maulolo’s departure from the HRPP camp did not come as a total surprise to followers of the opposition party and to the general public.
Several strong hints of a growing rift stood out early.
In February 2025 Maulolo was the only opposition MP to vote for the Government amendments to the constitution to undo the Land and Titles Bill.
The MP defended his vote in support of his electoral constituency’s position on a crucial land matter related to full assurances of traditional land ownership under dispute with other neighbouring villages.
The most telling break away move, however, was the recent No Confidence Vote on the 2025-2026 Budget that cost the collapse of PM Fiame Government.
MP Maulolo broke ranks with the HRPP opposition to the No Confidence Vote against the budget that Government lost.
Where to next for the Sagaga-le-Usoga MP rests solely on the outcome of the general elections as far as he is concerned.
He has made no firm commitments yet including confirmation of being involved in setting up a new political party.
“Much depends on what the ‘toeaiina’ have to say after the general elections, so we’ll just have to wait and see.”