Tundu Lissu wins Chadema chairman position
What you need to know:
- Lissu defeated his opponent, Mr Freeman Mbowe, who had led the party for 21 years. The election took place during a meeting that began on Monday morning and continued into today, Wednesday, January 22, 2025, at the Mlimani City conference hall in Dar es Salaam.
Dar es Salaam. Delegates of Chadema have decided to change their “general” in the midst of battle by electing Mr Tundu Lissu as the new chairman of the party.
Lissu defeated his opponent, Mr Freeman Mbowe, who had led the party for 21 years.
The election took place during a meeting that began on Monday morning and continued into today, Wednesday, January 22, 2025, at the Mlimani City conference hall in Dar es Salaam.
This decision marks the end of Mbowe’s 21-year tenure as chairman, a position he assumed in 2003 after taking over from Bob Makani. Lissu now becomes Chadema’s fourth chairman, following in the footsteps of Edwin Mtei, Bob Makani, and Mbowe.
Although the overall results were yet to be officially announced, with Chadema Secretary-General Mr John Mnyika informing delegates that the results would be made public later, celebrations broke out in the hall.
The jubilations were reportedly fuelled by preliminary results, which were unofficially shared by Lissu’s agents following the completion of vote counting.
In a post on his X (formerly Twitter) account, Mbowe conceded defeat graciously, sharing a photo of himself with Lissu and writing:
“I fully accept the decision of the General Assembly election of our party, Chadema, concluded this morning, January 22, 2025. I congratulate Hon. Tundu Lissu and his team for being entrusted with the leadership of the party. I wish them all the best as they move the party forward.”
Pre-result atmosphere
Before the official announcement, a quiet unease enveloped Mbowe’s supporters, while Lissu’s camp displayed growing excitement.
Delegates supporting Lissu were seen hugging, shaking hands, and congratulating one another even before the results were announced. Groups of his supporters gathered across the hall, exchanging whispered conversations and moving between clusters, exuding an air of confidence.
The excitement culminated when Lissu’s supporters stood up in celebration, prompting Mnyika to call for order.
Mnyika subsequently announced the completion of vote counting and confirmed that the necessary forms had been signed.
However, the election for the position of Vice Chairman for Zanzibar required a rerun, as no candidate managed to secure more than 50% of the votes.
The second round of voting was set to be contested by the two leading candidates, Said Mzee Said and Said Issa Mohamed.
With Lissu now at the helm, Chadema enters a new chapter in its history, with many anticipating the changes his leadership will bring to the party.
