PLO Lumumba news Archives

Following the declaration that Tanzanian President Samia Suluhu Hassan had secured a landslide re-election victory—reportedly garnering close to 98% of the vote—renowned Pan-Africanist and governance expert, Professor Patrick Loch Otieno (PLO) Lumumba, has offered a measured yet critical commentary on the outcome.

While acknowledging that President Suluhu was widely expected to win, PLO Lumumba’s remarks focus on the staggering margin of victory and its implications for democracy in the East African nation.

The Inevitable vs. The Incredible

Speaking on the highly contested results, which the main opposition party has rejected as illegitimate, Lumumba noted that the political environment preceding the polls made a Suluhu victory the most likely outcome. However, he expressed skepticism regarding the final tally.

“In any democracy, there are favorites, and President Samia Suluhu Hassan was undoubtedly the favorite to win,” PLO Lumumba stated. “But when you begin to see figures like 98%, it demands a pause. In a truly multi-party, competitive democracy, such a margin is less a measure of popularity and more a measure of the level of democratic space available.”

His comments echo concerns raised by international observers and human rights groups regarding the pre-election climate, which saw opposition leaders jailed, the main opposition party reportedly sidelined, and widespread allegations of fraud and violence.

The Health of Democracy

PLO Lumumba, known for his powerful oratory and unwavering call for good governance across Africa, implied that while winning is essential in a contest, the manner and magnitude of the win are crucial indicators of a nation’s democratic health.

He suggested that such overwhelming figures risk undermining the very legitimacy they are meant to establish.

“Tanzania has a strong history and its people deserve a vibrant, competitive political process,” Lumumba concluded. “The challenge now for the government is not just to govern, but to rebuild trust in the institutions that deliver those results, because a 98% victory, even for the most popular candidate, often suggests a miscalculation of political justice.”

The Professor’s commentary adds a respected legal voice to the chorus of questions surrounding the legitimacy of the election outcome, focusing attention not on who won, but on the credibility of the process itself.

Raila’s daughter Rosemary Odinga decided to bow out of the race for Kibera parliamentary seat following her doctor’s advice.

Rosemary travelled to South Africa to seek medical treatment after she was diagnosed with non cancerous tumor in her head.

“It is following my doctor’s advice, that for the time being, I will continue serving my community in other capacities and regrettably bow out of the race for Member of Parliament. I would like to thank each and every person that supported my bid and the people of Kibra for opening their hearts and homes to me. I will forever cherish your outpouring love and prayers,” Rosemary wrote in part while announcing about her decision to quit her quest to be MP for Kibera.

Rosemary’s announcement caused mouths to wag, some encouraged her saying that could join politics at a later stage.

PLO Lumumba was among Kenyans who sent out messages to Raila’s daughter, his message was however coded in jargon that only a few could understand.

“Good move by Rosemary Odinga. It would heve been imprimptic to grimple & frimple for the seat against assiduous & sedulous Ken Okoth,” PLO tweeted.