By Adonis Byemelwa
Arusha
City MP Mrisho Gambo has made explosive allegations against Godbless Lema,
Chairman of the Northern Zone for the Chadema party, claiming he has rented two
vehicles—a Toyota Spacio and a Toyota RAV 4—to disrupt the ongoing voter
registration process.
Speaking
to reporters yesterday, 19th October 2024, Gambo asserted that he is
aware of Lema's plans to transport students to various registration centers
ahead of the upcoming elections.
“My
brother Lema’s scheme to hire cars and transport students—some as young as 15
to 18 years old—under the pretense of voter registration is well-known to us.
We have videos, but we prefer not to release them for strategic reasons,” Gambo
stated.
He
expressed disbelief at Lema's recent registration efforts, questioning why a
leader would wait until the last minute to register.
“We
had to exert significant influence on Lema to get him to register. I even
enlisted the help of his wife, my aunt, to persuade him. It took both Freeman
Mbowe and his wife to get him to comply,” he claimed, commending his aunt for
her successful persuasion efforts that led to Lema sharing a photo of his
registration on Instagram.
Gambo
defended the ruling party, Chama Cha Mapinduzi (CCM), asserting that they do
not engage in questionable practices, such as registering ineligible voters. He
criticized claims made by Chadema regarding the registration of unqualified
individuals.
When
The Respondent Online reached out to Lema for a response, he declined to
comment, stating he had nothing to say on the matter. His silence has sparked
further speculation among political observers regarding his party's strategy
and next steps in the election campaign.
Amani
Golugwa, the Northern Zone Secretary for Chadema, dismissed Gambo’s
accusations, challenging him to report the alleged vehicles to the police if he
is certain of their existence. “Gambo is merely seeking attention from Lema,
but Lema is not worried about him. If he claims to have seen these vehicles, he
should take action and report them to the authorities,” Golugwa said.
“Why
is he discussing this with you, the press, instead of going directly to the
police? It seems he’s just trying to stir up controversy,” he added.
The
political landscape in Arusha Urban has become increasingly contentious, with
opposition parties ramping up their efforts in the lead-up to the elections.
Chadema, along with other opposition groups, is determined to challenge the
longstanding dominance of the ruling party, Chama Cha Mapinduzi (CCM).
Tensions
have been exacerbated by accusations of electoral manipulation and attempts to
undermine the opposition’s credibility. With voter registration becoming a
focal point, both sides are actively mobilizing supporters, making bold claims
to sway public opinion.
These dynamics highlight the high stakes involved in the upcoming elections and the critical role that public perception will play in determining the outcome. The ongoing rivalry between political factions reflects deeper societal issues and the quest for accountability in governance.