VP, Magufuli also eye Presidency

Dr John Magufuli

 Vice President Dr Mohamed Gharib Bilal is also eyeing the presidency along with Works minister Dr John Magufuli.

 

CCM Headquarters confirmed this in Dodoma yesterday, saying both are expected to pick up nomination forms today.

 

Meanwhile, Transport minister Samuel Sitta has also joined the list of presidential hopefuls from the ruling Chama cha Mapinduzi (CCM) as four of the party’s high ranking officials collected their forms yesterday.

 

As is the case with a handful of the other 10 CCM hopefuls, Sitta placed his key priority on economic developing saying his primary focus will be separating business from politics.

 

Declaring his bid to vie for the presidency yesterday in Itetemia Tabora, Sitta said mixing politics and business is fueling corruption in the country and is also the reason unfavourable contracts have been entered by the government with foreign entities.

 

“For starters, we will separate politics from business...those who want to do politics have to choose, either politics or business...if a businessman wants to enter politics he or she will also have to choose,” he said.Sitta said he will ensure that the government budget is increased to cater for social services such as provision of water, health services, and improving the education system.

 

In his second priority, Sitta who has previously served as Speaker of the National Assembly and was also the Chairman of the Constituent pledged to devote his energy to fight corruption as the basis to build a just society. 

“Corruption is everywhere from public procurement and tender bidding to job opportunities,” he said.

 

“My key assignment as the president will be to ensure that the country gets rid of this vice which is causing huge losses to the nation,” he said pointing out that grand corruption is hindering government’s efforts to improve the lives of wananchi. 

 

“The country is starved due to corruption which is now a problem not only in urban centres but in rural set ups too,” he noted. 

He said some dishonest senior public servants are using their positions to enrich themselves using public resources.

 

“This as a result has fueled corruption, demoralised junior staff, and stalled investment as well as inconvenienced the public,” he said, adding this should not be left to continue. 

 

Sitta said his government would make tough anti-corruption laws with harsher penal sanctions. He said his government will take stern measures against plundering of national resources by the greedy few.

Thirdly, Sitta said if nominated and elected the president, he would strengthen the union between Tanganyika and Zanzibar by addressing all challenges facing the union.

 

 “I have the zeal and the energy to lead the country to prosperity,” he reassured the public.

 

Notably, the village he chose to announce his aspiration for presidency Itetemia, on the outskirts of Tabora Municipality, happens to have been the headquarters of Unyanyembe warriors, including Isike and Kiyungi who fought the colonial regime to secure the freedom the country enjoys today. 

 

SOURCE: THE GUARDIAN