'Family' message suggests he's quitting politics
Dr Slaa, the party Secretary General, has been conspicuously absent in all important party occasions related to the issue of late. He was missing at the occasion to receive and announce Lowassa’s defection to the party at Bahari Beach Hotel in Dar es Salaam on Tuesday.
What raised eyebrows among the public is his conspicuous absence again on Thursday in Dar es Salaam during the occasion for the former premier Lowassa to pick the party’s presidential nomination forms.
The social media has been awash with posts suggesting that the cleric-turned politician has quit politics in protest against Lowassa’s defection to the largest opposition political party in the country.
The speculation over Dr Slaa’s quitting politics went into overdrive yesterday after a person who let the media suppose that she was Josephine Mushumbusi sent a what’sapp message, affirming that Dr Slaa had quit politics. If the identity was right, it would confirm from close range, as she is the better half in the politician’s household.
The speculation over Dr Slaa’s quitting politics went into overdrive yesterday after a person who let the media suppose that she was Josephine Mushumbusi sent a what’sapp message, affirming that Dr Slaa had quit politics. If the identity was right, it would confirm from close range, as she is the better half in the politician’s household.
“It’s true Frida. Dr Slaa has resigned from the post of Secretary General and has also quit politics. You will never hear from him again. Dr Slaa cannot ago against what he believes in,” the message had categorically insisted, apparently responding to a whatsapp message sent by a blogspot contributor named Frida.
A person by the name of Linda Nyanda responded to the supposed message from Dr Slaa’s household ostensibly to congratulate Dr Slaa for his unshakable stand. “Dr Slaa is a real revolutionist. He is a man of firm stand. Big UP,” that was what the contributor, Linda posted as a whatsApp message.
Chadema Deputy Secretary-General (Zanzibar) Salum Mwalimu yesterday rejected speculation on the leadership situation and party membership of Dr Slaa in an interview with an international radio station, saying speculative reports should be ignored.
He said Chadema was a big party and that given the fact that it is election time there is no possibility for all national leaders to be in one place at a given moment.
Dr Slaa who has been secretary general for more than a decade has been vocal against corruption. He has been delivering papers and lectures on corruption and good governance in and outside the country.
Central Committee member and party Chief Whip in Parliament, Singida East MP Tundu Lissu came out clearly on Wednesday, asking party members who were not recognizing Lowassa’s potential to walk out. He said that the former prime minister would be Chadema’s choice and for that matter, joint presidential contender for the union of four parties, Ukawa.
It is not only Dr Slaa who has seemingly vanished but his deputy for the Mainland, Ubungo MP John Mnyika is also nowhere to be seen.
This newspaper made attempts to reach Dr Slaa via his mobile phone but efforts proved failure as his number could not be reached.
It would be recalled that Dr Slaa in September 15, 2008 released what came to be known as the “List of Shame” during a rally at Mwembeyanga grounds on the southern suburbs of Dar es Salaam in which a number of prominent politicians and businessmen were named and shamed.
Later in the evening yesterday news surfaced in the social media outlet of Jamii Forums, claiming that Dr Slaa turned up at one of the radio stations in Dar es Salaam, strongly denouncing the claims. Efforts to reach Chadema officials for comment also proved failure as they were in a meeting.
The majority of people exchanging messages and chatting in social media have called upon Dr Slaa to appear in public to issue a stand and clear the air.
Chadema national chairman Freeman Mbowe and other leaders forming the Coalition of the People’s Constitution (Ukawa) on Tuesday expressed gratitude for the decision taken by the former premier of joining them, saying he would be an electoral powerhouse in the coming polls.
SOURCE: THE GUARDIAN
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