Challenges facing Chadema after 'No Reforms, No Election' stand

Dar es Salaam. Opposition party Chadema has outlined seven major challenges arising from its firm declaration, “No Reforms, No Election,” including the registrar’s refusal to recognise its secretariat and a legal suit filed by former party officials from Zanzibar.

Other issues include the attempted arrest of party chairman Tundu Lissu, a campaign of internal disinformation, distortion of the party’s electoral position, sabotage of internal systems and fundraising, and the formation of rival political parties.

However, Chadema’s Mainland Vice Chairperson, Mr John Heche, has maintained that the party remains united, with defectors representing only a small fraction of its membership.

The party’s Secretary-General, Mr John Mnyika, outlined the challenges on Friday, May 23, 2025, in Dar es Salaam, while welcoming Mr Heche to address a two-day Central Committee meeting.

Mr Mnyika alleged that external forces are behind a campaign aimed at portraying the party as being in turmoil.

He said the Office of the Registrar of Political Parties has rejected Chadema’s newly appointed secretariat, seeking to nullify resolutions passed during the party’s National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting held on January 22, 2025, shortly after the new leadership took office.

Mr Mnyika further noted that former Zanzibar Vice Chairperson, Mr Said Issa Mohammed, and others have petitioned the courts to suspend Chadema’s activities nationwide, alleging unequal distribution of party resources between the Mainland and Zanzibar.

He claimed authorities had attempted to arrest Mr Lissu to derail the “No Reforms, No Election” campaign.

“There is also a coordinated propaganda effort aimed at portraying Chadema as plagued by betrayal, sabotage, and rebellion. This strategy is intended to undermine public support for the party’s reform agenda,” he said.

Mr Mnyika said the party is battling false claims that it will boycott elections for five years, even if reforms are implemented — supposedly due to the Secretary-General’s refusal to sign electoral ethics regulations.

He added that the party’s internal systems and fundraising mechanisms have been sabotaged, urging Tanzanians to continue supporting Chadema financially.

According to Mr Mnyika, two new political parties are allegedly being formed to replace Chadema in the opposition space — a move he sees as aimed at blocking the party from challenging the ruling CCM in future elections.

“All these seven blows are meant to weaken the ‘No Reforms, No Election’ campaign and derail our presidential bid. But with your leadership, I believe we shall overcome,” he said.

In his remarks, Mr Heche dismissed reports of internal conflict, calling them orchestrated disinformation.

He pointed to the repetition of similar claims in multiple newspapers and TV stations as evidence of coordinated messaging.

Further, he emphasised that only one member of the Central Committee had resigned — just 2 percent of its composition.

He said of the 456 National Council members, 20 had defected, and out of 1,194 General Assembly delegates, only 34 had left — about 4 percent overall, reaffirming the party’s continued popularity and support across the country.

“The party is strong and active. We wish those who left well. From the day after tomorrow, we resume our outreach to the next zone,” he said.

He dismissed claims that 3,000 members had quit the party, urging Tanzanians to critically evaluate such figures.

“Is our ‘No Reforms, No Election’ agenda based on truth? Yes. Is the electoral system rigged? Yes. Have lives been lost during elections, including local government polls? Yes — two people were killed,” asserted Mr Heche, reaffirmed the party’s commitment to rejecting political deceit and pursuing genuine reform.

“We stand with citizens, not political manipulation. Let Tanzanians know that Chadema is not a party of lies. The path we’ve chosen is hard — but we are determined to prevail,” he said.

He concluded by reaffirming Chadema’s commitment to restoring people’s power and ensuring that electoral choices are respected.