adminDAR ES SALAAM. — Tanzania’s information minister Nape Nnauye has been removed from his post following an outcry over comments he made suggesting that elections could be rigged.
Nnauye was filmed at a rally on 15 July, saying that he would help a fellow ruling party MP win in the 2025 election.
He added that “election results are not necessarily those in the [ballot box], rather they depend on the person counting and making announcements”.
Following a public backlash after a video of his controversial remarks went viral, Nnauye said he had made them in jest.
President Samia Suluhu Hassan sacked him from the cabinet on Sunday as part of a wider reshuffle. The video, filmed on Mr Nnauye’s visit to the northern city of Bukoba, also showed the former minister saying: “Because I’m good at election tricks, I will assist to emerge victorious.”
He said there are various methods to ensure a win – “legal, half legal and illegal”.
“All of them could be used provided after the conclusion you seek God’s forgiveness,” Nnauye added.
Many Tanzanians criticised the former minister, arguing that he had violated the principles of electoral democracy and did not respect the decision of voters. – BBC
Bongani Ndlovu
Online Reporter