Political analysts and various Dar es Salaam residents have received Chama cha Mapinduzi (CCM) central committee decision on its five aspirants for higher vetting with mixed reactions.
A number of interviewed city residents hailed the outcome, pointing fingers at several Central Committee members who strongly disapproved the results, and well placed analysts expressed worries on the procedures used.
Three members of the central committee, Dr Emmanuel Nchimbi, Sophia Simba and Adam Kimbisa walked out of the meeting and distanced themselves from the results saying that too few names were presented to the central committee and instead the ethics and security committee did the pruning of three quarters of aspirants who returned properly filled forms.
Dr Benson Bana, a senior lecturer at the Department of Political science and Public Administration of the University of Dar es Salaam (UDSM), said this situation shows that the whole nomination process did not follow proper procedures and party regulations.
He said that the CCM central committee was supposed to review its procedures used to select candidates as it has revealed that there were misunderstandings amongst the members during the session.
“Decisions made by Central Committee to cancel names of candidates who are accepted by people outside the party indicate that there will be a huge separation in the general election that will divide CCM and give great opportunity to opposition parties to get more voters,” he said.
He said that CCM must review regulations used to select candidates and change them as the situation shows that many Central Committee members opposed the decision to recommend the particular candidates selected.
Another commentator from the UDSM department of political science and public administration, Alexander Makulilo said that in the past many of those who failed to reach the initial shortlist of five have then supported those remaining in the run. Cynics might say they did so to secure a plump job should the stronger candidate hit the jackpot.
“The stakes are high and, like politics in any other country, the CCM presidential nomination run can be a dirty process,” said Makulilo.
He said there could be aspirants who might feel aggrieved that despite deals that may have taken place in the past they have never fully enjoyed the bonanza.
“Others may be uncomfortable that if their adversaries go on to win, it could soon be payback time for past disloyalty. The nomination process is a chance to settle old scores. Future expectations of a good number of well known politicians and party associates are at stake,” he elaborated.
Thomas Steven, an independent analyst, said that one interpretation of the unprecedented number of CCM aspirants this year is that a significant number of applicants were encouraged to run in order to frustrate designated candidates.
He said one problem with this strategy is that, much like parents bearing copious children who they hope will look after them in old age, the mouths have to be fed for many years before the pension plan bears fruit.
“Caring for numerous dependants seems to be effortless these days for politicians, if not for the poor. The difficulty comes when the dependents are tempted to fly from the nest too soon,” he said.
Other commentators said the decision made by three members of the Central Committee to disapprove the central committee’s decisions showed how they have failed to embrace political tolerance.
Rutashobya Rutashobya, resident of Dar es Salaam, said that he was dismayed by those who went against the decisions saying that he did not feel like it was fair for them to disagree.
He said that the dispute they raised indicates that there was a problem in the central committee sessions as many of them were supporting former Prime Minister Edward Lowassa and others were on the other side.
On Friday night CCM-CC listed five candidates, of whom three will be approved by the National Executive Committee (NEC), after which the presidential candidate would be picked by the CCM general meeting.
Candidates selected by the central committee are January Makamba, Bernard Membe, Dr Asharose Migiro, Ambassador Amina Salum Ali and Dr John Magufuli.
“I am satisfied with the decisions made by the central committee and I believe after the candidate is announced Tanzanians will have an opportunity to choose a person and not firstly the political party,” he said.
SOURCE: GUARDIAN ON SUNDAY
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