CHADEMA, the leading opposition party, has reaffirmed its strength and stability despite the recent defections of some of its leaders and members to a hitherto dormant political party.

John Heche, the party’s Mainland vice chairman, made this assertion when opening a meeting of the party’s central committee in Dar es Salaam yesterday, where he acknowledged several challenges facing the party.

He cited perceptions of internal conflict, division, rebellion and betrayal as noticeable challenges, insisting that the party remains strong and fully operational. The party would soon resume its “No Reforms, No Election” campaign through public demonstrations, he said, seeking to minimise the significance of the defections, with an assessment that the number of those who had left was small compared to those who remain.

He said the party’s national council has 456 members, of whom 20 have resigned; with the general assembly noticing 34 resignations out of 1,194 members, while only one of the 26 central committee members has left.

“There’s been a lot of noise suggesting that the party is collapsing. But the party is stable, calm and focused on its work. To those who’ve left, we wish them well. We’ll meet again in the field. Starting the day after tomorrow, we’ll return to the streets to reconnect with citizens,” he declared.

He urged the public and party supporters to dismiss reports of division within the party, describing them as coordinated propaganda spread through the media.

He reiterated the party’s firm stance on electoral reform, intimating that the "No Reforms, No Election" campaign is a directive from the party’s leadership organs and it will be maintained.

 “Our party stands with the people and rejects deceptive politics. Chadema does not do trickery or spin. We’re on a tough path, but we will prevail,” he said.

Joseph Mbilinyi—popularly known as Sugu, the Nyasa Zone chairman and former MP for Mbeya Urban—described the current political environment as troubling as external forces were actively working to destabilise Chadema.

 “The political atmosphere is tense and people are anxious. We hope this meeting will provide direction and reassurance to Tanzanians. But the situation is deeply concerning,” he said.

He linked the recent defections to outside interference following the party’s general elections held on 21st and 22nd January, noting that complaints exist in every party, so what matters is how they are handled. 

“That’s why we’re here at the central committee: to assess the way forward, with Tanzanians’ interests as our priority,” he added.

Earlier, Chadema Secretary General John Mnyika said the party was engaged in a political battle, accusing the authorities of trying to delegitimise party decisions and sabotage its push for democratic reforms.

Outlining the meeting's agenda, he said the session would focus on the party’s direction and the broader state of democracy in Tanzania. This includes a response to a letter from the Registrar of Political Parties that nullified the appointments of several central committee members.

He accused the government of attempting to overturn decisions made during the National Council meeting held on 22nd January, which confirmed appointments of the secretary general, deputy secretaries and central committee members.

 “The authorities are doing everything they can to invalidate decisions made by the central committee after the new leadership took office. This is a direct attack on our party,” he declared.

He warned that the broader aim was to create alternative opposition parties to replace Chadema’s role as the main opposition, expressing confidence that the party would endure.

The central committee meeting is expected to conclude today with a resolution affirming the party’s position on electoral reforms and its formal response to the Registrar of Political Parties' notice of annulling key appointments.