Tanzanian Information Minister Nape Nnauye has been removed from his post following controversial comments suggesting election rigging. During a rally in Bukoba, Nnauye implied he would help a fellow ruling party MP win the 2025 election through “election tricks,” sparking public outrage.
The video of his remarks went viral, leading to widespread criticism that he violated electoral principles and disrespected voters’ decisions. President Samia Suluhu Hassan sacked Nnauye as part of a wider cabinet reshuffle but did not provide specific reasons for the decision.
Nnauye’s controversial history includes similar remarks during the 2015 elections. Despite apologizing and claiming he believed in “free and fair elections,” his comments have fueled concerns about the integrity of Tanzania’s electoral process.
Former Land and Housing Development Minister Jerry Slaa will replace Nnauye, while Tanzania’s ambassador to Italy, Mahmoud Thabiti Kombo, has been appointed as the new Foreign Minister.