Chadema faces an internal crisis because party member Lembrus Mchome opposes recent senior leadership appointments made under Chairman Tundu Lissu, a respected Tanzanian politician, who defied party constitution rules. Newly elected Chairman Tundu Lissu has provoked party member Lembrus Mchome through his announced appointments which Mchome claims go against party constitutional rules.
According to the results from the Tanzania general election which ran from January 21-22, 2025, Tundu Lissu obtained the chairmanship position with 513 votes for a percentage of 51.5 while former chairman Freeman Mbowe received 482 votes (48.3%) and Charles Odero Odero secured just one vote (0.1%).
After his victory in the election Lissu revealed his appointments starting with Secretary-General John Mnyika and Deputy Secretaries-General for the Mainland Aman Golugwa and for Zanzibar Ally Ibrahim Juma. The Central Committee (CC) received five nominations consisting of Godbless Lema, Rose Mayemba, Salma Kasanzu, Hafidh Ally Saleh and Dr. Rugemeleza Nshala.
Mchome made a formal objection to the Secretary-General’s office on February 18, 2025 regarding these appointments. In his objection Mchome argues that the National Executive Council (NEC) failed to obtain a sufficient number of attendees for their January 22, 2025 meeting that approved these appointments. Mchome indicates that the meeting failed to reach its required quorum because only 85 party members attended while the constitution demands 309 members present. Video evidence shows that 151 unauthorized persons took part in voting according to his allegations.
As the Mwanga District Chadema chairman Mchome demands both the cancelation of these appointments along with a proper confirmation process. Procedural adherence is essential above all else according to him even though he has no personal issue with the appointed officials. He demands that the NEC must gather at least 75% of its members before making any leadership choices legitimate.
All inquiries regarding these allegations need to be directed toward Secretary-General Mnyika because Chairman Lissu does not have the required authority to handle such complaints. Multiple unsuccessful attempts have been made to contact Mnyika for any statements. Following the receipt of Mchome’s letter Deputy Secretary-General Golugwa stated that such correspondence needs full examination before issuing any additional statements.
Chadema faces a crucial moment while trying to unite its leadership before upcoming political events. The outcome of this dispute will substantially affect Chadema’s capacity to maintain unified leadership and its influence in Tanzania’s political system.
Source: https://www.thecitizen.co.tz/tanzania/news/national/chadema-faces-internal-strife-over-appointments-4932848
