Tanzania’s information minister, Nape Nnauye, has been removed from his post after making controversial comments about election rigging.
This decision came from President Samia Suluhu Hassan, who dismissed Nnauye as part of a larger cabinet reshuffle on Sunday.
At a rally on July 15, Nnauye was filmed saying he would help a fellow ruling party MP win in the 2025 election.
He remarked, “Election results are not necessarily those in the [ballot box], rather they depend on the person counting and making announcements.” This video quickly went viral, causing public outrage.
Nnauye later claimed his comments were made in jest, but the backlash continued. The video showed him saying, “Because I’m good at election tricks, I will assist to emerge victorious.” He mentioned using various methods, “legal, half legal and illegal,” and added, “All of them could be used provided after the conclusion you seek God’s forgiveness.”
Many Tanzanians criticized Nnauye, arguing that he disrespected electoral democracy and the voters’ decision. In response, Nnauye apologized, stating he believed in “free and fair elections.”
This isn’t the first time Nnauye faced criticism for similar remarks. Before the 2015 elections, he said the ruling CCM party would win “by all means,” even comparing it to scoring a “handball goal” in football.
CCM, or Chama cha Mapinduzi, has been in power since 1977. Opposition leaders have accused the party of election fraud and state repression, though the electoral commission denies these claims.
Nnauye was first appointed as information minister by the late President John Magufuli and was reappointed by President Samia in January 2022. He will be replaced by former land and housing development minister Jerry Slaa.
In addition to Nnauye’s removal, Foreign Minister January Makamba has also been sacked. Tanzania’s ambassador to Italy, Mahmoud Thabiti Kombo, will succeed him.
