Lowassa, Slaa still the most preferred candidates

 
 

Mr Edward Lowassa.PHOTO|FILE 

By Songa wa Songa ,The Citizen Reporter

In Summary

Other members of the ruling CCM who have declared interest in the presidency scored as follows: Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation minister Bernard Membe (five per cent), East African Cooperation minister Samuel Sitta (four per cent) and Works minister Dr John Maghufuli (three per cent).

Dar es Salaam. As the race for President Kikwete’s succession intensify within the ruling party, fresh findings show that Mr Edward Lowassa was leading by 17 per cent, followed closely by Prime Minister Mizengo Pinda with 14 per cent, according to Twaweza survey report released yesterday.

But, for the opposition parties, Dr Wilibrod Slaa was still the leading candidate, scoring 41 per cent, followed by Professor Ibrahim Lipumba with 14 per cent, Freeman Mbowe scored 11 per cent and Zitto Kabwe who got 6 per cent.

According to the findings, those who responded to the survey, identified specific individuals within the ruling party, naming Mr Lowassa (17 per cent) as their preferred presidential candidate within the ruling party, followed by Mr Pinda (14 per cent).

The survey shows that Mr Lowassa who is an MP for Monduli Constituency and former prime minister appears to have overturned the advantage that Pinda held in 2012.

These findings, according to the survey, are likely reflecting wide individual recognition, since prime ministers mostly play a key role in national affairs and the Parliament and receive regular media coverage.

But 24 per cent of those surveyed said they would vote for ‘anyone CCM picks’, suggesting that the real choice will be determined by CCM’s own internal processes and politics, rather than political opinion.

In a dramatic ascend; the former prime minister’s political fortunes have risen from just six per cent in 2012, having managed to maintain the 13 per cent he scored in 2013.

The current Prime Minister Mizengo Pinda who, like Mr Lowassa, has made public his interest in the top leadership of the country, is the second runner up with 12 per cent. However, unlike Mr Lowassa, Mr Pinda has seen his fortunes dwindle, nose-diving from 16 per cent in 2012 and gaining just one per cent from the 11 he recorded in 2013.

Other members of the ruling CCM who have declared interest in the presidency scored as follows: Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation minister Bernard Membe (five per cent), East African Cooperation minister Samuel Sitta (four per cent) and Works minister Dr John Maghufuli (three per cent).

Mr Membe’s chart shows ups and downs: He started with four per cent in 2012, and then dropped halfway to two per cent in 2013, before rebounding to five this year.

If it were a marathon, Mr Sitta would have been encouraged by his trainers to keep it up on his way to the medal because he has never lost the pace, according to the Twaweza chart. In 2012 he scored two per cent, and then gained to record three per cent in 2013 and now four.

Unlike Mr Sitta, Mr Maghufuli’s chart shows an arrow pointing downward ever since. In 2012 he scored six per cent but descended one ladder down and recorded five per cent in 2013 and now he has settled for three. This means since 2012, the arguably ‘best performer’ in President Jakaya Kikwete’s cabinet and even Benjamin Mkapa’s, has lost half of his presidential dreams.

In the opposition line-up, which last month signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), to field and support one candidate at all levels including the presidency in 2015 General Election, shows that CUF chairman Prof Ibrahim Lipumba trails Dr Slaa with six per cent. But unlike Dr Slaa who has seen a drop in the survey, Prof Lipuma’s chart shows a ‘rise and rise’. In 2012 he scored three per cent then rose to five in 2013 before gaining one more per centage to six this year.

Chadema chairman Freeman Mbowe is in third position with three per cent, having maintained what he scored last year after jumping two steps up from one per cent he got in 2012.

Interestingly, the ousted former Chadema deputy secretary-general and Kigoma North MP Zitto Kabwe who has scored just the opposite of what Mr Mbowe posted. In 2012 he scored three per cent and maintained the same in 2013, but settled for just one per cent this year.

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  Mk • 5 hours ago

  
  

  CCM WAS ONLY SERVING CITIZEN WHEN NYERERE WAS PRESIDENT NOTHING GOOD CAN COME OUT OF THE CURRENT CCM LEADERSHIP , PEOPLE ONLY DONT WANT DO CHOOSE ANOTHER PARTY BECAUSE OF THE INFLUENCE NYERERE HAD. DELETE CCM AND LOOK FOR OTHER PARTIES AND IF THEY FAIL CHOOSE ANOTHER THATS ABLE!
  WHAT KIND OF CITIZENS SUPPORTS THE CORRUPT PARTY AND STILL GOES BACK TO LIVE IN POVERTY AND COMPLAIN THAT MAISHA MAGUMU. CHOOSE A PARTY THAT WILL CREATE AN ENVIRONMENT THAT HAS OPPORTUNITIES FOR ALL CITIZEN AND NOT FOR THOSE WORKING IN GOVERNMENT ONLY. WATANZANIA VP NIE?
  WE HAVE ACCESS TO FOREIGN NEWS AND WE HEAR HOW OTHER PEOPLE FROM OTHER COUNTRIES ARE CHANGING FOR THE BETTER BUT TANZANIANS ARE CHANGING FOR THE WORST BY CHOOSING THE SAME PARTY THAT BRINGS THEM MISERY AT THE END OF THE DAY.
  WANTAZANIA BADILIKENI!

  
  
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  mujwahuki  

  
  

  I'm of the opinion that if Dr. Magufuri shows presidential ambitions openly the arrow will shoot upward continuously until the day of him being picked to represent his party. Whether he can finally get into the august house will depend on two things: his ability to distance himself from his party's misdoings and readiness to stealthily punish them, and second, the ability of the opposition (Ukawa??) to come up with an appealing narrative to voters and a promise for a practical alternative.

  
  
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    Alex Kakala mujwahuki 

    
    

    He was my only proposal few months back, he might turn things around provided his hands are not tied to current political masters.
    Expect sabotage by Pinda to either Lowasa or Magufuli.
    I still want to see the full force of united opposition party, but they are too slow to act!
    I am not sure of Lowasa, because I can not agree with someone at top position like PM saying he resigned to protect the president even if the president was wrong, that is a big weakness by itself. All previous PM shouldn't be considered as they are in opposition to advise the president, decisions made reflect both top men in the government.
    the next government should do away with appointing only members of their political parties. They should appoint any Tanzanian from all works of life provided they are qualified and capable of carrying out their duties base on corrupt free government and Tanzania citizen -first mindset.

    
    
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      Jerome Alex Kakala 

      
      

      I would give CCM a break but more chance if it is Lowassa is going to take charge. The ups and downs Lowassa encountered in his service to the nation made him one who won't repeat mistakes as the President of our country. In the presence of UKAWA, I would consider Lowassa, Slaa and Lipumba on the same level of competitiveness, and therefore vote for UKAWA just for the sake of giving CCM a break for retreat and a chance to the newly-born UKAWA.