Luhaga Mpina gets green light to challenge Samia Suluhu Hassan for presidency

Dar es Salaam. ACT-Wazalendo has formally endorsed Mr Luhaga Mpina as one of its presidential candidates for the Union presidency in the upcoming General Election, setting the stage for a direct challenge against incumbent President Samia Suluhu Hassan of CCM.

The decision was reached during a special session of the party’s Central Committee held on August 5, 2025, in Dar es Salaam, where Mr Mpina and Mr Aaron Kalikawe were approved as the party’s presidential aspirants.

A statement, issues by the Deputy Secretary for Information, Ideology and Public Relations for

ACT Wazalendo, Ms Shangwe Ayo said on Wednesday that the final decision on who will carry the ACT-Wazalendo flag will be made by the party’s National Congress through a vote.

Mr Mpina, a former cabinet minister under CCM who defected to ACT-Wazalendo, is seen as a significant contender with nationwide recognition and parliamentary experience. His endorsement comes after the party’s leader, Ms Dorothy Semu, voluntarily withdrew her candidacy in a move she described as a leadership decision aimed at strengthening the party’s electoral prospects.

According to the statement, Ms Semu addressed the Central Committee where she said her withdrawal was motivated by a desire to ensure ACT-Wazalendo remains focused on its mission to unseat CCM in the 2025 elections.

“She made this decision as part of her leadership duty, considering the current political landscape and the need to prioritise the party’s strategic goals,” said Ms Ayo.

Meanwhile, for the Zanzibar presidency, the Central Committee endorsed Mr Othman Masoud Othman, the current First Vice President of Zanzibar and ACT-Wazalendo’s national chairperson, as the party’s sole candidate after he emerged unopposed.

The endorsed names will now be submitted to the party’s National Congress for ratification ahead of the official campaign season scheduled to kick off next month.