A meeting of high ranking matai or chiefs of the Western District, held Saturday, selected Senator Faiivae Alex Godinet to be the next Western District Governor.
Faiivae confirmed to KHJ News this morning that, out of respect of the unanimous decision by the chiefs of the district, he has agreed to take up the position.
This means he will have to resign as senator of Fofo County.
The position of Western District Governor was held by High Chief Fuamatu Joseph Fuamatu of Afao, who passed away in March.
The selection will go to the Office of Samoan Affairs which will then submit Faiivae’s name to Governor Lemanu, who will make the official appointment.
In a phone interview with Faiivae this morning he said, out of respect of the wishes of the ranking chiefs of the Western District, he is stepping down from his senatorial seat to serve as District Governor.
He said being a senator was an honor and an avenue to be of service to the government and people. At the same time, he believes being District Governor is another calling that would enable him to serve the territory.
Faiivae has often spoken in the Senate about the need to strengthen the authority of the Office of Samoan Affairs and restore this branch of the government to what it was before.
Faiivae says he will await the processing of the paperwork then will formally resign from his Senate seat.
KHJ News understands that there were other names put forward for District Governor, however, the matai titles of the other candidates were considered to be a lower rank and not of the stature befitting the position.
Faiivae has held the Fofo seat in the Senate since 2007 and was a candidate for Lt. Governor in the 2020 gubernatorial elections.
