Nairobi, Jan. 28 -- Tanzanian politician Tundu Lissu has energised opposition politics after he returned to the country from exile to a heroic welcome. But that rise may also come at a cost to opposition figures who had been his eyes and legs in the country for the past three years.

Local observers say Mr Lissu's return could bring him closer to a presidential contest in 2025 in which he can do better than in 2020 when he was muzzled out by John Pombe Magufuli's regime.

"He has remained popular and he is such a convincing personality," Tito Magoti, a Tanzanian activist said in an interview with Mwanzo TV.

Mr Magoti said Mr Lissu's popularity has not been lost even though he stayed abroad and opposition barred from holding rallies.

Ban...