Deogratius Ndejembi has secured unanimous parliamentary approval to become Tanzania’s new vice president, setting the stage for a rapid change at the top of the government following the sudden exit of Dr Emmanuel Nchimbi.
All 324 lawmakers who participated in Friday’s vote supported Ndejembi’s nomination, with none voting against him and no spoilt ballots recorded.
President Samia Suluhu Hassan nominated Ndejembi, the Minister for Energy and Member of Parliament for Chamwino, to take over the position after Nchimbi resigned on August 25.
Nchimbi had indicated in his resignation that he would formally leave office on September 4. However, a constitutional explanation given during Friday’s parliamentary proceedings established that his tenure as vice president ended earlier.
Attorney-General Hamza Johari told Parliament that Nchimbi ceased being vice president on August 26, following his expulsion from the ruling Chama Cha Mapinduzi (CCM).
The explanation addressed questions over whether Nchimbi would remain in office until September 4, as stated in his resignation letter.
According to Johari, the resignation would normally have taken effect on September 4.
"However, before that date, he was expelled from CM and therefore ceased to meet the constitutional qualifications for continuing to hold office," he said.
Johari referred to Article 47(4) of Tanzania’s Constitution, which provides that a person cannot be appointed or serve as vice president unless, among other conditions, they are a member of a political party and have been nominated by that party.
Nchimbi’s expulsion from CCM therefore changed the circumstances surrounding his departure and brought his tenure to an earlier end.
CCM Secretary-General Ambassador Asha-Rose Migiro announced Nchimbi’s expulsion on August 26, saying the party’s Central Committee had dealt with various disciplinary and ethical matters involving him. Nchimbi was also a member of the Central Committee.
Following the vacancy, President Samia nominated Ndejembi in line with the constitutional process for filling the vice presidency.
The Constitution provides that when the office becomes vacant through resignation or another recognised circumstance, the president appoints another person to fill it. The nominee must then receive parliamentary approval by a majority vote before taking the oath and formally assuming office.
After securing the backing of all 324 lawmakers who voted, Ndejembi said his effectiveness in the new position would not be measured by his age.
He said his focus would be on remaining loyal to President Samia, serving Tanzanians with integrity and carrying out the duties assigned to him.
"I will strive, with great humility, to assist the president in serving as a bridge to all Tanzanians, regardless of political ideology or religion, in accordance with her directives, because I serve under President Samia Suluhu Hassan," he said.
Ndejembi described his nomination as a sign of CCM’s effort to prepare younger leaders for senior responsibilities. He said he had grown up within the party and served in different leadership positions before joining the government.
At the same time, he stressed that the vice presidency is a national office meant to serve all Tanzanians and not an institution reserved for CCM members.
The incoming vice president also promised to maintain his connection with the people of Chamwino, whom he represents in Parliament.
He called on Tanzanians to protect national unity, saying this would allow the country to benefit from development projects being carried out by the government.
Ndejembi’s rise to the vice presidency gained momentum on August 26, when CCM announced Nchimbi’s expulsion, triggering the constitutional changes that paved the way for his nomination.
With Parliament now having approved him unanimously, Ndejembi has completed the required parliamentary stage and is set to become Tanzania’s 13th vice president since independence in 1961.