Former Tanzanian Ambassador to Cuba, Humphrey Polepole has addressed another controversial virtual press conference in which he warned against nepotism in the ongoing electoral process.
Ambassador Polepole, whose whereabouts are still not known, spoke to the media during night hours with his address being relayed live through social media platforms like Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, Twitter (X) and Threads.
As anticipated, the Tanzanian Government throttled the speed of internet connection nationwide, in an attempt to prevent the live broadcast from going viral.
During his press, Humphrey Polepole who insists to be still a member of the Tanzania’s ruling political party, CCM, pointed out that most of the candidates nominated to vie for various, ward and parliamentary positions were sons, daughters and close relatives to current government leaders.
“It seems like the Tanzania leadership is being pulled away from democracy rule into family business, or better still, some form of Kingdom, where political and leadership posts are being inherited along bloodlines,” Polepole warned.
The former envoy to Cuba and Malawi, criticised the ongoing process of picking candidates to vie for various positions in the forthcoming October General Elections 2025, saying the President, Ministers, former President, have all fielded their children and relatives.
His press statement forced the former President of Tanzania, Jakaya Kikwete to come forth and defend his son, Ridhiwani Kikwete who recently passed uncontested to run for the Bagamoyo Constituency parliamentary seat, saying he deserved it.
Kikwete’s wife and former First Lady, Salma is also running for a parliamentary position in the 2025 polls.
The main opposition party in Tanzania, CHADEMA has been carrying on a nationwide campaign of ‘No Reforms! No Elections,’ to try and convince all residents not to participate in the 2025 polls until changes have been made in the electoral process.
However, the party chairperson, Tundu Lissu, who initiated the campaigns was arrested and is currently being charged with treason.