The team of Pulaalii Nikolao Pula and Pulu Ae Ae Jr. kicked off their campaign for Governor and Lt. Governor before a crowd of close to 500 at the Fagatogo malae on Saturday.
The event began with a prayer service officiated by pastors from churches in Fagatogo, Utulei, and Pago Pago, and the choirs from the same congregations providing hymns. Reverend Elder Faamao Asalele of the Congregational Church of Jesus in Samoa blessed the two candidates, while the other pastors laid their hands and prayed over them.
Candidate for Lt. Governor, Pulu, first addressed the crowd. He said that he accepted Pula’s invitation to be his running mate after seeing what has become of the territory and the hardships that the common person is facing. He said people are constantly coming to his office asking for money to pay for electric bills, hospital bills and other needs. His utmost concern is for the children, that they will have a bright future.
In his remarks, candidate for Governor Pula said some have asked why they have decided to run at this time and not allow the current administration to complete a second term.
He said he met with Governor Lemanu Peleti Mauga last year and told him that many people, including business owners expressed their frustrations to him about the leadership. They felt the government was benefitting just a select group of people and not the general population.
Pula said we don’t need to spell out the wrong doings by the government, it’s been the subject of Fono investigations, and reported in the media.
He said he told Lemanu, who is a good friend of his, that if things continue the way they are, he will run for governor.
Pula said he also met with the Secretary of Samoan Affairs Mauga Tasi Asuega and explained his reasons for running for governor, simply out of a desire to do what is right.
Pula said the territory has received an abundant of money from COVID and past disasters, but many are asking, “What do we have to show for it? Where has the money gone?”
He mentioned the $36 million the Fono was asked to approve, after the money had already been spent by the administration. 
Pula pointed to family lands being cleared by government contractors without the approval of the rightful owners.
He said he had gone to Public Works asking for maps of the land where the Governor’s residence is located at Maugaoalii, and also to the Department of Commerce seeking permits for the projects undertaken on these lands. He said after a month, he has not received what he requested.
The gubernatorial candidate said, “Tutuila and Manu’a I humbly believe it is time to change our leaders. Why? Because of not one, two, three or four wrongdoings, but so many.”
He said there are many honest and hardworking government employees, but their leaders are not and they need to be changed.
On his selection of Pulu as his running mate, Pula said he had asked other younger candidates with promising careers but they were “tu vaelua” and had allegiance to more than one party.
He said Pulu speaks his mind and always stands up for what is right.
Among guests attending the kick-off event were Congresswoman Uifaatali Amata, Senate President Tuaolo Manaia Fruean and Mrs. Fruean, Senator Soilai Tuipine and Mrs. Tuipine and Senator Muagututia Tauoa.
