Samoa's Prime Minister and five other ousted members of the ruling FAST Party's challenge to their leadership have been cast aside by the nation's parliamentary speaker of the house.

Fiame Naomi Mata'afa disputed the vote of no confidence for her government's cabinet after the party's own chairman La'auli Leuatea Schmidt announced on Wednesday the removal of the Prime Minister and her five ministers.

Twenty respective party members in the parliament reportedly signed a petition to dump Prime Minister Fiame Naomi Mata'afa and Deputy Prime Minister Tuala Iosefo Ponifasio, while also expelling Leatinu'u Wayne Fong, Olo Fiti Vaai, Faualo Harry Schuster and Toeolesulusulu Cedric Schuster from the party.

The internal political infighting resulted in a swearing in of new ministers on Wednesday.

Ms Mata'afa emphasised in her last parliamentary address the importance of adhering to constitutional principles and due process.

"These challenges are not unprecedented," she said.

"In 1982, similar divisions within the HRPP led to multiple changes in leadership before the government stabilised."

Initially, Ms Mata'afa had removed Mr Schmidt from his cabinet role after he refused to step down following charges filed by the Samoa Police Service.

The resulting fallout would lead to dissent within the party, tit-for-tat removals of ministers and associate ministers, and attempts to oust Ms Mata'afa from the party altogether, bringing on internal strife.

Ms Mata'afa did try to attempt to remove other government ministers Mulipola Anarosa Ale-Molio'o, Toelupe Poumulinuku Onesemo and Leota Laki Sio that caused grief and support from the other party members.

In response to her own party's determined attempts to remove her, Ms Mata'afa dismissed 13 associate ministers that were a part of MPs that signed the petition that subsequently aligned themselves with Mr Schmidt, the party's chairman, behind the scenes and the one-time Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries, from an attempt to oust her from the party.

During Ms Mata'afa's Parliamentary address, she acknowledged the tough challenges within the party.

"As Prime Minister, I must acknowledge that the primary cause of this issue stems from the charges against La'auli, the former Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries," she said.

Samoan media outlets reported this week that in a letter one of the removed members, Mr Schuster, wrote: "We all reject the letter of termination as relayed as unlawful and unconstitutional."

But the speaker of the house, Papali'i Li'o Taeu Masipau, decisively addressed a letter from the FAST Party, which he was informed of the official removal of Ms Mata'afa along with other cabinet members that leaves Samoan politics messy.

"I've received a letter from the FAST Party concerning the removal of some of their members from the party," Mr Masipau, the speaker, stated.

"The letter raised questions about their parliamentary seats.

"Let it be clear: neither the speaker of the house nor parliament can, at this stage, make a decision that would result in the vacating of these seats in Parliament.

"The process must align with the rule of law."

The Electoral Act 2019 of Samoa outlines provisions regarding changing party allegiance by Members of Parliament (MPs).

These electoral guidelines are designed to maintain political stability and to also ensure that MPs adhere to the party alignment under which they were elected, giving the party their own right to internally determine the cabinet of the government.

But Mr Mata'afa and the affected MPs have not declared their full exit from the FAST Party or even joined another party, ensuring their seats remain legally secure, as affirmed by the speaker.

Samoan chiefs from several constituencies whose members of parliament (MPs) were sworn in as the new cabinet ministers hope for a resolution to end internal party divisions, as Samoa heads towards the 2026 general election.

Their condemnation come after four other MPs made a provocative decision to stand by the outgoing Prime Minister.

The Samoa Observer reached out to a series of high chiefs from four affected constituencies to gauge their views on the unfolding political turmoil.

Many of the chiefs expressed their disappointment of the divisions within the nation's ruling party, but reaffirmed their commitment to supporting their own MPs, while also urging for reconciliation.

One high chief, who apparently requested to remain anonymous, expressed "sadness" over the disunity but remained steadfast in support of the FAST party.

That chief also spoke highly of Mr Schmidt, the party chair, for forming the party and bringing in strong candidates.

"We still support the FAST party," the chief told the Samoa Observer.

"We respect La'auli because he made the bold move to form the party and get in some good candidates, who won in the election.

"But things happen for a reason, and sometimes things get out of our control."

The chiefs, who play an important yet unelected role in Polynesian society as a moral purveyor, also emphasised the importance of supporting their elected representatives.

"People are entitled to their own opinions," he said.

"But when we elected Niuava, we entrusted him to make decisions for the greater good of the people.

"So whatever decisions he makes, we should support him."