A woman’s name was mentioned for the position of Western District Governor when ranking chiefs of the Western District met Monday to decide who will be their next District Governor.
It was Senator and High Chief Magalei Logovii of Tuala-uta who proposed that Senator Fonoti Tafaifa be considered for the position.
However Fonoti informed the meeting of her desire to continue as senator because she said, “it’s a God given role.”
Other leading matai whose names were mentioned at the district meeting were Fuamatu from Alataua, and Tuiasina Esera from Vailoa.
KHJ News understands that Leasina where the late Western District Governor Lualemaga Faoa was from, considered but did not mention at the meeting, the name of former Senator Leatulevao Asifoa.
In the end, ranking chiefs who attended the meeting left the decision up to Paramount Chief and Senator Satele Galu Satele.
Satele picked Tuiasina Esera to be the next Western District Governor.
A ranking matai of the Westen District shared with KHJ News that the selection of Tuiasina may present a culturally embarrassing situation when both Satele and Tuiasina both attend district or territorial meetings.
This is because Satele has a paramount title and he would be given the main recognition, relegating the new Western District Governor, who is from Satele’s village, Vailoa, to lesser status and recognition.
The selection of Tuiasina as District Governor has been forwarded to the Office of Samoan Affairs for submission to Governor Lolo.
