As of August 23rd, 2025, the final official list of CCM parliamentary nominees with their constituencies has been publicly released. The party’s Central Committee (CC) and National Executive Committee (NEC) had reviewed and confirmed the final list. This analysis focuses on major decisions of who will represent CCM at the parliamentary level in the general elections.
Overview of the CCM Nomination Process.
CCM’s internal primaries were held on August 4, 2025, to select parliamentary candidates for the October 29, 2025, general election.
The primaries resulted in a significant turnover, with over 100 sitting MPs losing their bids for re-nomination, including several deputy ministers and high-profile legislators.
The final list of nominees has been ratified on 23rd by CCM’s top organs, including the Central Committee (chaired by President Samia Suluhu Hassan) and the National Executive Committee (NEC).
Key Constituencies and Nominees.
Based on primary election results, the following key outcomes have been reported and secured final confirmation by CCM:
| No. | Constituency. . | Provisional Winner. | Previous MP (if ousted). | Notes. |
| 1.0 | Bumbuli. | Ramadhani Hamza SINGANO (ENG). | January Makamba. | Makamba was removed from the primary ballot by the Central Committee. |
| 2.0 | Arusha Urban. | Paul Makonda. | Mrisho Gambo. | Gambo was not approved for the primary ballot. |
| 3.0 | Butiama. | Wilson Mahera. | Jumanne Sagini (Deputy Minister). | Sagini lost to Mahera, a former election official. |
| 4.0 | Mafinga Urban. | Dickison Lutevele. | Cosato Chumi (Deputy Minister). | Chumi was defeated by Lutevele. |
| 5.0 | Nzega Rural. | Neto Kapalata. | Dr. Hamis Kigwangalla. | Kigwangalla, a former minister, lost to Kapalata. |
| 6.0 | Namtumbo. | Juma Zeberi Homera | Vita Kawawa. | a former regional commissioner, won overwhelmingly. |
| 7.0 | Makambako. | Daniel Chongolo | Deo Sanga. | Chongolo, a former regional commissioner & CCM secretary General, defeated Sanga. |
| 8.0 | Vunjo. | Enock Zadock Koola. | Dr. Charles Kimei. | Kimei, a former banking executive, lost to Koola. |
| 9.0 | Chato North. | Cornel Lucas MAGEMBE. | Dr. Medard Kalemani. | Kalemani, a former energy minister, was ousted by Magembe. |
| 10.0 | Mufindi North. | Luqman Merhab. | Exaud Kigahe (Deputy Minister). | Kigahe was defeated by Merhab. |
Special Seat Nominees. CCM’s affiliated wings (Youth Wing, Women’s Wing, and Parents’ Wing) have selected nominees for special parliamentary seats. These are also subject to final approval by the Central Committee and NEC:
Youth Wing (UVCCM): Ng’wasi Damas Kamani (incumbent), Jessica John Magufuli, Halima Abdallah Bulembo, Lulu Guyo Macha, Juliana Didas Masaburi, and Timida Mpoki Fyamdomo (Mainland); Mwanaenzi Hassan Suluhu, Latifa Khamis Juakali, Zainab Abdallah Issa, and Amina Ali Mzee (Zanzibar).
Parents’ Wing: Dr. Catherine Joackim (Mainland), Najma Murtaza Giga (Zanzibar, incumbent).
Women’s Wing (UWT): Includes incumbents like Ummy Hamisi Nderiananga (Mainland, disability group) and new nominees like Selina Henry Kingalame (university category).
Notable Omissions and Changes.
January Makamba (Bumbuli) was excluded from the primary ballot by the Central Committee, fueling speculation about political shifts within CCM.
Ummy Mwalimu, an outgoing MP for Tanga Urban, was already projected to be dumped by this writer. Despite garnering a commanding lead in the delegates primary of
Ummy Mwalimu (the former Tanzanian Minister of Health) has been dropped by Chama Cha Mapinduzi (CCM) from running for the Tanga Urban parliamentary seat, despite winning the party’s primary elections. This decision was made by the party’s National Executive Committee (NEC), which instead appointed Kassim Mbaraka (who came in third in the primary votes) to be CCM’s candidate for that constituency in the general election scheduled for October 2025.
Event Details:
Primary Elections: Ummy Mwalimu won the CCM primaries with 5,750 votes, while Kassim Mbaraka came in third.
As reported earlier by this writer, Ummy Mwalimu, had fallen over with CCM authorities leading to her ouster. It is very unlikely she will be handed a soft landing. She will have to wait until 2030 to see whoever succeeds President Samia Suluhu Hassan in his good books or not, before planning for her comeback. Otherwise, her political career has run out its course.
Frederick Lowassa, a scion of Edward Lowassa, was a notable omission. This wasn’t seen coming and tough to dissect the real reasons. Looks like ongoing land ownership disputes may have bruised a number of top players in the government. These days, MPs standing against state land expropriation see their careers shredded. It is still not clear whether this case is a fit one for this observation.
Frederick Lowassa received 7,137 votes in the CCM primaries for the Monduli constituency. This was the highest number among the contenders in that constituency, where a total of 10,745 votes were cast.
Additional Context: The CCM primaries were held on August 4, 2025.
Lowassa, a scion of former Prime Minister of Tanzania Edward Lowassa (2005–2008), who was a significant figure in Tanzanian politics will not seek to retain his post through CCM on 29th October elections. It is also very unlikely he will shift his loyalty to opposition politics like his father who decamped to Chadema following his snub during CCM presidential nomination in 2015. Lowassa senior is now deceased.
Despite winning the primaries in Monduli, his candidacy was cast out by CCM’s national organs (e.g., the Central Committee and National Executive Council). There have been instances where primary winners were not ultimately selected as party candidates, as seen in other constituencies.
NEC’s Decision: The CCM’s top leadership overruled the primary results and appointed Kassim Mbaraka as the candidate for Tanga Urban.
Prime Minister Kassim Majaliwa withdrew from the parliamentary race in Ruangwa, meaning he will not be eligible to continue as PM after the election.
Several long-serving MPs, including Deo Sanga (Makambako) and Vita Kawawa (Namtumbo), lost in the primaries.
Next Steps.
The final list of CCM parliamentary nominees is expected to be released imminently after approval by the National Executive Committee (NEC).
Once released, the full list will be available through official CCM channels and the Tanzanian Electoral Commission.
For the complete and official list of nominees, I recommend checking the latest updates from CCM’s official website or the Tanzanian Electoral Commission after the NEC’s announcement.
Selection of Former CHADEMA MPs.
Five of the former CHADEMA Special Seats MPs were nominated by CCM to contest parliamentary seats in the 2025 general elections. They are:
⭐ Esther Matiko (Tarime Urban).
⭐ Ester Bulaya (Bunda Urban).
⭐ Hawa Mwaifunga (Tabora Urban).
⭐ Kunti Majala (Chemba).
⭐ Jesca Kishoa (Iramba East).
Performance in Primaries.
Only two of the eleven defectors (Jesca Kishoa and Kunti Majala) won their primaries decisively. The others lost or performed poorly in the internal opinion polls due to strong local competition and lack of grassroots support within CCM.
Despite their losses, the National Executive Committee (NEC) intervened to include them in the final candidate list, overriding the primary results in some cases.
Strategic Intervention by CCM Leadership.
The Central Committee (CC) and NEC played a critical role in vetting and finalizing candidates, considering factors beyond primary results, such as alignment with party strategy and electoral viability.
This intervention highlights CCM’s emphasis on political strategy over grassroots delegate preferences, especially for high-profile defectors.
Political Context and Opposition Dynamics.
The nomination of former CHADEMA MPs occurs amid a weakened opposition landscape, with CHADEMA barred from participating in the 2025 elections due to its refusal to sign a mandatory electoral code of conduct.
CCM’s inclusion of these defectors is seen as a move to consolidate support and absorb dissenting voices into the ruling party.
Controversies and Internal Reactions.
The nomination process sparked mixed reactions, with some questioning the relevance of delegate opinion polls and others criticizing the nominees as lacking grassroots credibility.
The decision reflects CCM’s broader strategy of leveraging defectors to strengthen its electoral prospects while managing internal dissent.
Key Takeaways:
CCM’s nomination process emphasizes strategic electoral calculations over strict adherence to primary results.
The party’s ability to integrate defectors highlights its flexibility and dominance in Tanzanian politics.
The intervention by NEC underscores the centralized decision-making within CCM, often prioritizing political expediency.
Baba Levo On The Cusp Of Becoming A First Timer MP.
Here is a summary of the key information regarding Baba Levo’s nomination by CCM (Chama Cha Mapinduzi) for the Kigoma Urban parliamentary seat:
Nomination of Baba Levo.
Clayton Revocatus Chipando (popularly known as Baba Levo), a former opposition councillor and media personality, has been nominated by CCM as one of six candidates to contest for the Kigoma Urban parliamentary seat in the upcoming October 2025 general elections.
The other five nominees were:
Baruani Abdallah Muhuza.
Kirumbe Shaaban Ng’enda (the incumbent MP).
Ahmad Yahya Sovu.
Maulid Mohammed Kikondo.
Moses John Basila.
Primary Election Performance.
In the CCM primaries, Baba Levo secured second place with 88 votes, losing to the incumbent MP, Shabani Ng’enda, who won with 2,168 votes.
Despite his loss, Baba Levo’s performance was seen as a strong showing for a newcomer, earning him recognition and support from influential figures like Diamond Platnumz.
Political Context and Strategy.
Baba Levo’s nomination aligns with CCM’s strategy of integrating high-profile defectors and celebrities to broaden its appeal, particularly among youth and urban voters.
His defection from the opposition (ACT-Wazalendo) to CCM and vocal support for President Samia Suluhu Hassan likely played a role in his nomination.
Controversies and Reactions.
The nomination process sparked mixed reactions, with some questioning the inclusivity of CCM’s candidate selection and others praising the party’s adaptability.
Baba Levo’s candidacy is expected to face stiff competition from Zitto Kabwe (leader of ACT-Wazalendo) in the general election.
Key Takeaways.
Baba Levo’s nomination highlights CCM’s continued dominance and strategic use of celebrity influence in Tanzanian politics.
His performance in the primaries demonstrates both his local support and the challenges of overcoming incumbency advantages within CCM.
The upcoming general election in Kigoma Urban will be a closely watched contest, reflecting broader political dynamics in Tanzania.
CCM Says: Long Live Political Dynasties.
Certainly! The phenomenon of dynasty politics within Tanzania’s ruling party Chama cha Mapinduzi (CCM) has become increasingly prominent in recent nominations, particularly for parliamentary and special seats.
This trend involves the nomination of individuals with familial ties to current or former political elites, raising concerns about meritocracy and internal democracy. Below is an analysis of key figures and patterns based on the provided search results:
Kikwete Family Dominance.
Ridhiwani Kikwete (son of former President Jakaya Kikwete) was nominated unopposed for the Chalinze constituency for the third consecutive time (2015, 2020, 2025). His mother, Salma Kikwete (wife of Jakaya Kikwete), also received an uncontested nomination for the Mchinga constituency.
Justification by Jakaya Kikwete:
He defended these nominations as a strategy to avoid “costly and divisive primaries” and emphasized their developmental records (e.g., infrastructure projects in Chalinze and education investments in Mchinga).
Criticism: Critics argue this reflects “political monopoly,” suppressing grassroots competition and undermining internal democracy.
Mwinyi Family Influence.
Several members of the late President Ali Hassan Mwinyi’s family were nominated:
Abdulla Ali Mwinyi (Mahonda MP).
Abbas Ali Mwinyi (Fuoni MP).
Asma Ali Mwinyi (Welezo constituency).
Their nominations align with the current President of Zanzibar, Hussein Mwinyi (son of Ali Hassan Mwinyi), reinforcing the family’s political footprint and clout.
President Samia’s Family Ties.
Wanu Hafidh Ameir (daughter of President Samia Suluhu Hassan), currently a Special Seats MP, was nominated for the Makunduchi seat after the incumbent was dropped.
This has fueled debates about elitism and hereditary access to power, especially amid high youth unemployment.
Other Political Dynasties
Mizengo Pinda Family: Sylvanus Mizengo Ole Pinda (not cleared for Ngorongoro primaries) is speculated to be related to former Prime Minister Mizengo Pinda.Yannick Ikayo NDOINYO was ratified for Ngorongoro Constituency indicating having a dynastic name isn’t a foregone conclusion to win the seat. It also depended on other factors such as proximity to the nominators.
Edward Lowassa Connections: This time around didn’t help Frederick Lowassa as shown earlier.
- Other 9 Names whiffing with Dynastic Suspicions.
- Ndugu Livingstone LUSINDE. (Dodoma, Mvumi.).
- Ndugu George Natany MALIMA (Dodoma, Mpwapwa).
- Ndugu Mariam Ditopile MZUZURI. (Dodoma, Kondoa Mjini).
- Ndugu Anne Kilango MALECELA. (Dodoma, Same Mashariki.).
- Ndugu Ngwaru Jumanne MAGHEMBE. (Kilimanjaro, Mwanga.).
- Ndugu Masache Njelu KASAKA (Mbeya, Lupa.).
- Kellen Rose RWAKATARE. (Morogoro, Mlimba.).
- Ndugu Ridhiwani Jakaya KIKWETE. (Pwani, Chalinze.).
- Ndugu John John NCHIMBI. (Ruvuma, Nyasa).
Special Seats and Dynastic Nominations.
Special seats (e.g., women, youth) have also seen dynastic patterns:
Pindi Hazara Chana: A long-serving Special Seats MP and current Minister of Constitutional and Legal Affairs, she has held multiple cabinet roles since 2022.
Halima Abdallah Bulembo:
Former youngest female MP (Kagera Special Seat) and current District Commissioner, she has been active in CCM’s youth wing.
Zainabu Rashidi Kawawa:
Likely the daughter of the late Rashidi Kawawa (founding CCM leader).
Jesca John Magufuli:
The daughter of the late President John Magufuli.
Broader Implications.
Erosion of Internal Democracy: Unopposed nominations and central committee interventions (e.g., axing critical MPs like Luhaga Mpina) suggest top-down control.
Public Backlash: Social media criticism and protests (e.g., in Simiyu and Mbulu) highlight discontent with perceived elitism.
Contradiction with Development Rhetoric: While CCM promotes youth entrepreneurship and meritocracy, dynastic nominations contradict these values.
Conclusion: A Persistent Pattern.
Dynasty politics in CCM nominations reflects a broader trend of elite consolidation within Tanzania’s ruling party. While families like the Kikwetes and Mwinyis justify their nominations through developmental records, the practice undermines democratic principles and fuels public cynicism. The 2025 elections will test whether performance-based legitimacy can outweigh accusations of systemic favoritism.
