Ilala Mayor quits Chadema resigns, joins CCM

Ilala Municipal Mayor Charles Kuyeko

What you need to know:

  • Ilala Municipal Mayor Charles Kuyeko resigned from the currently leading opposition political party Chadema and joined the ruling party CCM on Saturday, March 23, 2019

Dar es Salaam. Ilala Mayor Charles Kuyeko quit the opposition Chadema on Saturday and joined the ruling CCM.

Mr Kuyeko – who doubles as the Bonyokwa Ward Councillor –thanked Union President John Magufuli for his outstanding stewardship, and urged Tanzanians to support him wholeheartedly.

“I thank Chadema for providing me the ticket to vie for the mayoral position, and I don’t disrespect them; I will keep respecting them. But my true calling is in CCM,” the erstwhile mayor said – adding that he was impressed President  Magufuli’s performance since he was Works minister.

Speaking to The Citizen on the development, the Ilala District executive director (DED), Jumanne Shauria, said he was not in his office at the time.

“I have just heard the news, and I haven’t seen his resignation letter,” Mr Shauria said.

Deputy mayor Omary Kumbilamoto (CCM) said: “it is true that he (Mr Kuyeko) resigned today, and I will be acting in the mayoral position following his resignation." 

Commenting on the latest defection, Chadema spokesperson Tumaini Makene said the main opposition party was yet to receive an official report on Mr Kuyeko’s resignation.

Mr Kuyeko’s defection to CCM leaves Chadema with two mayors in Dar es Salaam: Boniface Jacob of Ubungo, and the Dar es Salaam City Council Mayor, Isaya Mwita.