Tofilau, Eti Alesana (1924– )

Samoan politician, prime minister 1982–85 and from 1988. He entered the Fono (parliament) in 1957 and was a member of the 1960 constitutional convention that paved the way for independence from New Zealand rule in 1962. He returned to the Fono in 1967 and became deputy prime minister and minister of finance in 1982 and leader of the Human Rights Protection Party (HRPP) – a party based around family and local allegiances – in the same year. In December 1982 Tofilau began his first term as prime minister and remained in office, also serving as foreign minister, after the HRPP polled strongly in the February 1985 general election. However, in December 1985, a split in the HRPP led to his being replaced as prime minister by Va'ai Kolone. Tofilau returned to power in April 1988 and pushed through legislation, in 1990, to introduce universal adult suffrage (instead of indirect elections by matai, or clan chiefs). The HRPP won the 1991 and 1996 general elections and Tofilau remained prime minister, despite deteriorating health (after heart surgery) and mounting public opposition to political corruption and the government's sensitivity to media criticism.

Born in Vaitogi, in American Samoa, he moved with his Congregational Christian missionary parents to Western Samoa in 1930. He served in the Samoan defence force during World War II and in 1946 received a matai (elected clan chief) title, which allowed him to vote and stand for election. He had a career in business before becoming involved in politics.