By Staff Writer
A heartfelt rush of warmth swept through Parliament last Friday when Falealupo MP Aeau Peniamina, took to the floor to address Parliament for the last time.
The 79 year old is closing the door on a political career that ran up a span of 26 years started when he was first elected in 1985.
The retiring Falealupo MP was eloquent in parting oratory to the leadership responsibilities of Parliament and to the achievements of Government.
He paid an emotional tribute to the traditional dignitary of chiefs and orators in his Falealupo electorate, church leaders and village mothers.
“The trust you gave me as our Member of Parliament is an honour I will always cherish,” Aeau offered in gratitude to his constituents.
“For any shortcomings in the performance of my duties I apologise.”
Aeau entered politics as a Human Rights Protection Party, HRPP, Member of Parliament.
He was elected the 8th Speaker of the House on his re-election as MP for a second term from 1988-1991.
He would lose and regain his seat in the ensuing years with changes in political parties he worked with.
The MP is the only survivor of the opposition Tautua Samoa Party after the party’s major collapse of the 2016 general elections.
He and a newly elected MP were the only opposition left to continue the Tautua Samoa Party in Parliament.
Aeau is one of 4 long serving Members of Parliament who will retire when Parliament is dissolved at the end of the current session underway.
Speaker of the House, Toleafoa Fa’afisi is one. He paid a touching tribute to Aeau and his leadership during his time as Speaker and the guidance left behind for others to follow.
“ You led the way for others who came after you to follow as Speaker and I would like to thank you and wish you all the best in the future.”
Speaker Toleafoa then decided to end the Friday session just before mid-afternoon to honour the Falealupo MP.
The Aeau political legacy is a hard one to follow for newcomers to the Falealupo MP seat.
Three candidates are chasing after his seat. One of them is his daughter.
Leota Aeau Tima Leavai is a lawyer by profession and running her own law firm.
She is standing as one of two HRPP candidates in the three-candidate race for the Falealupo seat.