Tanzania presidential election race heats up as main opposition nominates Tundu Lissu to challenge Magufuli

By Our Correspondent, DAR ES SALAAM Tanzania

Tanzania’s main opposition party, Chama Cha Demokrasia na Maendeleo (Chadema) on Monday August 3 nominated its national Vice Chairman, Tundu Lissu, as party’s presidential candidate for the October General Election, pending approval by the national delegates conference slated for Tuesday.

The party's General Council also proposed the Deputy Secretary General, Salum Mwalimu as running mate and Said Issa Mohamed as Chadema Presidential candidate for Zanzibar.

Lissu beat other two contesters by collecting 405 votes, beating former Minister for Tourism, Lazaro Nyalandu and Dr Mayrose Majinge who gunned 36 votes and one vote respectively.

If approved by the national delegates’ conference, Lissu will challenge the ruling party’s candidate President John Magufuli.

Lissu, the former Member of Parliament for Singida East constituency returned in the country on July 27 this year from Belgium hospital where he was being treated after surviving an assassination attempt on his life on September 7, 2017 in Dodoma.

Over the years, Lissu has built a reputation as a prominent lawyer, fierce opposition figure and outspoken government critic, especially with his repeated confrontations with the government in President Magufuli's tenure in the country.

He was responsible for the research and preparation of the document that revealed the involvement of the state's high ranking officials in plundering of public funds, famously known as the List of Shame.

The fierce lawmaker was arrested at least six times in 2017 alone, accused of insulting the president and disturbing public order, among other charges.

On 23 August 2017 his home was searched by the police after he was arrested and questioned over allegations of sedition and insulting President John Magufuli, calling him a 'petty dictator'. His arrest came after he revealed to the public that a plane bought for the national carrier had been impounded in Canada over unpaid government debts. 

He is currently facing six sedition cases at Kisutu Residence Magistrate's court that according to him, cannot hinder with his presidential aspirations.

With his preceding political stance, the recurring arrests plus the recent attack on his life have been condemned as 'cowardly', 'heinous' and 'an attack on democracy' by political, human rights and religious organizations.

Chadema officials openly addressed their concerns to the public and to President Magufuli, who is also Chairman of the nation's ruling party CCM, that the attempt on Lissu's life was politically motivated and just another retaliation on the lawmaker's repeated run-ins with the government. - Africa