Connect with us

Politics

Tanzanian President Hassan declared winner of disputed vote with 98 percent

Published

on

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.

See also  Osun needs CEO, not an entertainer – Tinubu’s aide

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

Continue Reading
Click to comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Politics

Reforms are working – Akpabio champions Tinubu 2027 re-election

Published

on

The President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio, has begun making a fresh case for President Bola Tinubu’s re-election in 2027, urging Northern youths to support the administration’s economic reforms and policy continuity.

Akpabio made the appeal on Saturday while receiving a high-level delegation of the Northern Ethnic Groups Assembly in Abuja.

He said the reforms introduced by the Tinubu administration, including fuel subsidy removal and foreign exchange reforms, were painful but necessary measures to reposition the economy.

According to him, the policies have now crossed a critical threshold and are beginning to produce tangible benefits for Nigerians.

“I stand before you not merely as a politician, but as a public servant committed to the prosperity of our nation, and particularly this vital region,” Akpabio told the youth leaders.

“The reforms initiated by President Tinubu are not abstract theories; they are concrete, courageous actions designed to dismantle long-standing structural bottlenecks and unlock Nigeria’s vast potential.”

The Senate President said the removal of the fuel subsidy and efforts to stabilise the foreign exchange market were necessary steps towards achieving fiscal sustainability.

He acknowledged that the measures initially imposed difficulties on Nigerians but argued that they were required to redirect government resources to critical sectors.

“While these measures initially posed challenges, they were the surgical procedures needed to redirect resources into healthcare, education, and infrastructure,” he said.

Akpabio also claimed that the reforms were producing early positive indicators, including improved revenue collection, increased investor confidence and renewed interest from international partners.

He urged Northern youths to become active participants in governance rather than waiting for the future before taking responsibility.

See also  PDP NEC members set high bar for incoming chairman ahead of convention

“You are architects of today, not just leaders of tomorrow,” he told the delegation.

He said the 10th National Assembly was prioritising reforms aimed at strengthening transparency, accountability and the rule of law.

“Your innovation and engagement are the lifeblood of these reforms,” Akpabio said.

“We urge you to be critical consumers of information and to engage in constructive dialogue.”

The Senate President’s comments come as political activities ahead of the 2027 general elections continue to gather momentum across the country.

His appeal also places policy continuity at the centre of the argument for another Tinubu term.

Akpabio argued that abandoning the current reform programme before its consolidation could undermine the gains being recorded.

On his part,The group’s spokesperson of the Northern Ethnic Groups Assembly, Alhaji Ibrahim Dan-Musa, commended Akpabio for what he described as efforts to strengthen political understanding between the North and South.

“We commend the Senate President for his accessibility and his unwavering dedication to the Nigerian project,” Dan-Musa said.

“His proactive engagement has rebuilt vital bridges of trust. He has proven that true national leadership transcends ethnic and geographical boundaries.”

The coalition also pledged to mobilise at the grassroots to educate Nigerians on what it described as the long-term benefits of the Federal Government’s economic policies.

Dan-Musa said national unity must remain above regional demands and sectional interests.

“National unity is the ultimate anchor of our collective survival.

“No regional sentiment can take precedence over the sovereignty and peace of the Federal Republic of Nigeria”,he said .

See also  2027: We’ll Send Atiku, Obi, Aregbesola, David Mark, Amaechi Out Of ADC – Rep Leke Abejide

Meanwhile,the assembly identified three key areas for its political engagement ahead of 2027.

They include continuous consultation with Northern youth structures, grassroots enlightenment on federal fiscal policies and an uncompromising commitment to national cohesion.

The coalition said federal leadership must maintain mutual respect and transparent consultation with Northern youth organisations.

It also pledged to embark on awareness campaigns aimed at explaining the government’s economic policies to rural communities.

The group said such engagement was necessary to address misinformation and help Nigerians understand the implications of the reforms.

FOLLOW US ON:

FACEBOOK

TWITTER

PINTEREST

TIKTOK

YOUTUBE

LINKEDIN

INSTAGRAM

Continue Reading

Politics

2027: No presidential candidate including Peter Obi can improve Nigeria – Datti Baba-Ahmed

Published

on

Former Labour Party, LP, presidential running mate, Datti Baba-Ahmed, has disclosed that none of the candidates running for the presidency in 2027 can improve Nigeria.

Datti expressed this opinion during an interview on Mic On Podcast.

Making reference to his former principal, Peter Obi, Datti said the now NDC presidential candidate left his comfort zone when he abandoned the Labour Party.

He said: “None of the people contesting will improve Nigeria, including Peter Obi. Peter Obi left his comfort zone; he was adopted as the presidential candidate of the Labour Party as far back as 2024.

“When he was going to join ADC, I had to go to Yar’Adua Centre ahead of him, called him aside, and they were worried: why is Datti calling Obi aside?

“I told him that this is the last time that I’m coming to this place, but I want to tell you that this is not a place for you. Was I proven wrong? I was proven right, and within four months, Obi left ADC.

“I don’t like people who contradict themselves, and I don’t want to go into criticising the politics of Atiku because that’s not what I’m about.”

FOLLOW US ON:

FACEBOOK

TWITTER

PINTEREST

TIKTOK

YOUTUBE

LINKEDIN

INSTAGRAM

See also  Obi, Kwankwaso launch joint movement before ADC primaries
Continue Reading

Politics

2027: They’re looking for any means to eliminate Peter Obi, Atiku – Primate Ayodele

Published

on

The Leader of INRI Evangelical Spiritual Church, Primate Elijah Ayodele, has alleged that some unnamed persons are looking for any means to eliminate former Anambra State governor, Peter Obi, and former Vice President Atiku Abubakar.

In a video posted on X, Ayodele warned the two politicians to be conscious of their security.

While he did not name those he alleged were plotting to eliminate Obi and Atiku, the cleric said God would not allow it to happen.

“Obi and Atiku, be very conscious of your security. They are looking for any means to eliminate Obi and Atiku.

“But God will never allow it to happen. Watch out and be cautious of your security,” he warned.

It was reports that while Atiku is the presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress, ADC, Peter Obi is the candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress, NDC, ahead of the 2027 polls.

The cleric also urged President Bola Tinubu not to visit the United States, alleging that America was after his downfall.

FOLLOW US ON:

FACEBOOK

TWITTER

PINTEREST

TIKTOK

YOUTUBE

LINKEDIN

INSTAGRAM

See also  Obi, Kwankwaso launch joint movement before ADC primaries
Continue Reading

Trending