There is a claim by a Samoan government MP that the ruling party is stunned by the high calibre of the candidates being put forward by the rival Tautua Samoa Party for the elections in March.
The MP, who does not want to be identified, has told our correspondent that the first time he sees a good calibre of opposition candidates facing the Human Rights Protection party.
The Mp says he thinks the newly elected leadership of the Tautua Samoa party is the key factor behind the change.
The party has named 47 candidates for the election, including a former district court judge and an executive officer of the Samoa Development Bank.
Also included are several former HRPP MPs who were cabinet ministers in previous HRPP governments.
