In August 2020 Tafito was unanimously elected leader of the Samoa National Democratic Party (SNDP).[1] Shortly afterwards the SNDP agreed an electoral alliance with the FAST party, which would see them run a single joint candidate in each electorate for the April 2021 Samoan general election.[4] In October 2020 he was nominated as a candidate for FAST.[5] Preliminary results showed him winning his seat.[6]
On 24 May 2021 he was appointed Minister of Health in the elected cabinet of Fiamē Naomi Mataʻafa.[7] The appointment was disputed by the caretaker government. On 23 July 2021 the Court of Appeal ruled that the swearing-in ceremony was constitutional and binding, and that FAST had been the government since 24 May.[8]
In August 2021 Valasi announced that the government was considering establishing an inquiry into the 2019 Samoa measles outbreak.[9]