CHADEMA endorses Mbowe to retain Hai constituency

Hai MP,MrFreeman Mbowe

CHAMA cha Demokrasia na Maendeleo (CHADEMA) National Chairman, Mr Freeman Mbowe has emerged as the party’s flag bearer who will seek to retain Hai constituency parliamentary seat battling with contestants from other political parties.

The party’s Kilimanjaro Regional Secretary, Mr Basil Lema, said here yesterday that “nobody has sought to challenge Mr Mbowe” who some sections of the local media said might become his party’s presidential aspirant.

Mr Lema said that on Monday incumbent Rombo constituency legislator, Mr Joseph Selasini collected 313 votes during preferential polls to defeat his four challengers, Mr Fratern Masika (56 votes), Mr Been Saanane (26 votes) and Mr Hugho Kimaryo and Mr Dominick Tarimo who got one each respectively.

CHADEMA has started its preferential nominations to select contesters who will compete under Coalition of the People’s Constitution (Ukawa) which will field a single candidate for each constituency.Mr Selasini, 54, has been Rombo constituency MP since 2010 when he unseated veteran politician and former minister, Mr Basil Mramba, who had been a Chama Cha Mapinduzi (CCM) legislator since the 1980s.

In Same West constituency, Mr Jonas Kadeghe, collected 98 votes to trounce his opponents with their votes in brackets as Mr Christopher Mbajo (47), Chrivance Mgonja (30) and Mr Godson Mbaga (15).Mr Lema said three CHADEMA members have joined the race to defend Moshi Urban constituency left vacant by ‘old man’ Mr Philemon Ndesamburo.

The contestants include outgoing Moshi Municipal Mayor, Mr Japhery Michael, Advocate Elikunda Kipoko and Basil Lema. He said Mr John Mrema and Mr Exaud Makyao will battle for the Vunjo constituency.

However, it is understood that Ukawa leaders have agreed to spare the seat for the coalition’s cochairman Mr James Mbatia of NCCR-Mageuzi.

He said, however, that CHADEMA members have the right under their party’s constitution to collect nomination forms and challenge Mr Mbatia.

CHADEMA director of finance and resources, Mr Anthony Komu and Special Seats MP, Ms Lucy Owenya, have picked nominations forms to contest the Vunjo constituency.

Same East, Moshi Urban and Hai constituencies are set to hold their preferential polls this week while Siha, Moshi Rural and Mwanga will do so on July 25.

/Daily News.