ZANZIBAR presidential candidate for the ACT-Wazalendo party, Othman Masoud Othman, has called for urgent leadership change in the Isles, saying that wherever he has toured during his campaign trail, he has found communities weighed down by poverty, oppression, and worsening living conditions.

Speaking at a public rally held at Titimko Kiuyu grounds in Micheweni District, Pemba, Othman said citizens continue to suffer from serious injustices, especially through the grabbing of ancestral land, which has left many families dispossessed and voiceless. He urged Zanzibaris from both Unguja and Pemba islands to recognize that 2025 is the year of change and to unite behind ACT-Wazalendo, a party he said is committed to restoring dignity, discipline, and accountability in leadership.

According to Othman, Zanzibar is endowed with enormous wealth from its rich marine resources—including fish, octopus, and seaweed—yet ordinary citizens remain trapped in poverty and unable even to afford daily meals. “Our people are poor while living amidst immense wealth,” he said, blaming the situation on corrupt leadership, misuse of public funds, and the absence of leaders who genuinely serve the people.

The ACT presidential hopeful further highlighted his concern for the plight of women in Micheweni, who still break stones by hand to earn a living. He pledged that under his government, women would be empowered with modern machinery, training, and capital to transform their efforts into profitable ventures. “A government that truly cares for its citizens must provide tools and knowledge to unlock their potential,” he stressed.

He accused the ruling party of ignoring serious corruption allegations raised by ACT-Wazalendo and instead recycling old promises, such as offering small loans, which he said were promised five years ago but never delivered.

On his part, Ismail Jussa Ladhu, the chairperson of ACT’s victory team, said CCM leaders had underestimated Zanzibaris, thinking they could be easily deceived. He reminded supporters that Zanzibar’s founding leaders fought to protect the nation’s sovereignty and rights, and ACT is walking in their footsteps. He dismissed government critics who claimed ACT’s plan to raise the minimum wage for civil servants to 1 million/- was unrealistic. “We are determined to form a clean government that values its people. Salaries will be raised, and citizens will live better lives,” Jussa declared.

Another ACT leader, Seif Khamis Mohammed, a member of the party’s central committee, said Othman is the right leader Zanzibar needs due to his patriotism and defense of the underprivileged. He recalled Othman’s firm stand in the constituent assembly, where he rejected the proposed constitution that would have further weakened Zanzibar’s autonomy.

Meanwhile, deputy secretary general of ACT - Wazalendo in Zanzibar, Omar Ali Shehe, warned citizens against selling their voter identification cards, revealing reports of attempts to buy them for as much as 300,000/-.

Earlier in the day, Othman met fishermen and farmers in Shumba Mjini village, who complained about lack of loans, limited fishing equipment, and land seizures under the guise of investment. He assured them that if elected, his government would review all land cases, restore rights to rightful owners, and establish a fair system where land leased for business would generate income both for owners and the state.

As the campaign season gathers momentum, ACT-Wazalendo’s message of justice, equity, and economic empowerment continues to draw crowds, with Othman portraying himself as the leader who will stand firmly with ordinary Zanzibaris.