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Tanzanian President Hassan declared winner of disputed vote with 98 percent

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2 months ago

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Tanzanian President Samia Suluhu Hassan has been declared the winner of the country’s disputed presidential election with nearly 98 percent of the vote, after leading rivals were excluded from the race.

The final result announced by the electoral commission on Saturday showed Hassan had won 97.66 percent of Wednesday’s vote, dominating every constituency.

State media said a swearing-in ceremony would take place later on Saturday.

A spokesman for the main opposition party Chadema, which was barred from taking part in the election, slammed Hassan’s victory as a “mockery of the democratic process”,

“We are calling for the intervention by a credible body to oversee another fresh election,” John Kitoka told AFP news agency.

The election for president and parliament set off days of violent protests as demonstrators took to the streets of major cities to protest against the barring or prevention of Hassan’s main rivals from running and what they described as widespread repression.

Despite a heavy security presence, election day descended into chaos, with some demonstrators tearing down banners of Hassan and setting fire to government buildings, and police firing tear gas and gunshots, according to reports quoting witnesses. Internet connectivity watchdog NetBlocks said access to social media and mobile internet was restricted across several cities during and after the vote.

Chadema told AFP on Friday that “about 700” people had been killed, based on figures gathered from a network checking hospitals and health clinics. On Saturday, Kitoka said the party’s monitors had reported “no less than 800 people” were killed by security forces in protests this week.

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Meanwhile, the UN human rights office said credible reports indicated at least 10 people were killed in three cities.

Foreign Minister Mahmoud Thabit Kombo told Al Jazeera on Friday that the authorities have acted appropriately and the election was conducted fairly.

“No excessive force has been used,” he told Al Jazeera, saying the government has “no official figures” on any protesters killed. “I’ve not seen these 700 anywhere.”

UN chief ‘deeply concerned’

Hassan, who in 2021 was elevated from vice president on the sudden death of her predecessor, John Magufuli, faced 16 candidates from smaller parties.

Chadema leader Tundu Lissu has been jailed for months, charged with treason after he called for electoral reforms that he said were a prerequisite for free and fair elections. He denies the charges. Another opposition figure, Luhaga Mpina of the ACT-Wazalendo group, was barred from running.

Rights groups allege Hassan oversaw a “wave of terror” in the country before the vote, including a string of high-profile abductions that escalated in the final days. The government has rejected criticisms of its human rights record.

Hassan has not made any public statement since the unrest began.

United Nations chief Antonio Guterres is “deeply concerned” about the situation in Tanzania, “including reports of deaths and injuries during the demonstrations”, his spokesman said in a statement.

Source: ALJAZEERA

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Politics

‘Leave Social Media, Join Politics’, Ex-Lawmaker Shehu Sani Tells Young Nigerians

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21 hours ago

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January 10, 2026

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Former lawmaker, Senator Shehu Sani, has called on Nigerians, especially those in their 30s, 40s, and 50s, to move beyond commenting on social media and take a more active role in the country’s political landscape.

In a post on X on Saturday, Sani encouraged Nigerians in the middle age to stop limiting themselves to online debates while younger politicians occupy elective offices.

He said surveys suggesting that Nigerian youths were more active on social media than in politics are not helpful, emphasising that true political engagement goes far beyond ‘likes, shares, and comments’ on social media.

Sani also encouraged aspiring politicians not to be discouraged by financial constraints, noting that many current officeholders faced significant challenges in their early political journeys.

“You are in your 30s, 40s or 50s, your Rep member is in his 30s and your House of Assembly member and Local Government Chairman are in their 20s. Excuse yourself from their comment section on Facebook, X and Instagram; register as a member of a political party and aspire to contest and give your people the kind of leadership you think they deserve. The recent survey that suggests that Nigerian youths are more on social media than in politics is not helpful. Don’t be discouraged or scared because ‘you don’t have money’ to join politics. You need to hear the story of most of those you see in power today; it wasn’t an easy ride from the beginning. If they can be, so you can,” Sani wrote.

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See also  Abure, Otti LP factions at war over Obi-ADC pact ahead of 2027
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2027: ‘Peter Obi Is The Only Life In ADC, Others Are Not Existing’ – Fayose

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22 hours ago

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January 10, 2026

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Former Governor of Ekiti State, Ayodele Fayose, has claimed that the Labour Party (LP) 2023 presidential candidate, Peter Obi, is the only living person in the African Democratic Congress (ADC).

It was reports that Fayose made this known during an interview on Channels Television’s ‘Politics Today’ programme on Friday.

According to Fayose, other chieftains of the ADC and political figures in the party are old forces and no longer exist.

He said, “Obi is the only life in ADC; all other people in ADC are semi-existent. If Obi had gone to remain in Labour Party or has gone to Accord Party, he is the only life there. All the other people there, they are not existing. They are old-forces.”

Fayose also stated that he has no regret supporting President Bola Tinubu during the 2023 presidential election but will never join the All Progressives Congress (APC).

He stressed, “Openly, I supported Tinubu in 2023. I didn’t hide it. Till now I’m still there. I don’t jump. I have said it to you I’m not a member of APC and I will never be.”

Speaking further, the former Governor said that the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) is technically no more, adding that it is dead.

The former Governor equally said that Oyo State governor, Seyi Makinde, should not be dragged into the woes of the PDP.

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Impeachment: Wike Maintains Silence As Tinubu, APC Leaders Resolve To Save Fubara

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22 hours ago

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January 10, 2026

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President Bola Tinubu and leaders of the All Progressives Congress (APC) have reportedly resolved to save the Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, following the impeachment proceedings initiated against him and the Deputy Governor, Ngozi Odu, by the House of Assembly.

It was learnt that while Fubara, who is reportedly out of the country, has yet to be served with the impeachment notice and he has the backing of power brokers and APC leaders to retain his seat.

Multiple sources who spoke to Vanguard stated that the recent comments by the National Secretary of the APC, Senator Ajibola Basiru, and the National Security Adviser, Malam Nuhu Ribadu, commending Fubara and recognising him as the leader of the party in Rivers, capture the mood of critical power brokers in the presidency.

Those said to be favourably disposed to Fubara include the Imo State Governor and chairman of the APC Governors Forum, Senator Hope Uzodimma and Transport Minister, Senator Dave Umahi.

Also, the Pan-Niger Delta Elders Forum (PANDEF), the apex socio-political body of the South-South geopolitical zone, was among the critical stakeholders who waded into the matter.

Rivers State Elder and chieftain of the PANDEF, Anabs Sara-Igbe, in an interview with Vanguard, called on President Tinubu to save the state from unnecessary tension arising from the third attempt by the legislators to remove Governor Fubara and his deputy from office.

Wike Shuns Comment On Fubara’s Impeachment

Meanwhile, the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister, Nyesom Wike, has maintained a loud silence as the presidency, APC leaders and stakeholders weigh in to resolve the reignited political crisis following the commencement of impeachment proceedings against Fubara.

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Prior to the latest impeachment threat by the lawmakers who are largely Wike’s loyalists, the former Governor of Rivers State was always seen dancing, singing and using every political gathering to criticise Fubara.

However, Wike, who shunned comments on the impeachment proceedings, appeared sober when his “thank you” train landed in Andoni LGA of the state on Friday.

Unlike Wike, the minister, who did not spend more than five minutes addressing the huge crowd that came out to welcome him, and did not speak publicly on the impeachment move.

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