Shun tribalism, Chadema urges its supporters

NATIONAL Chadema Chairman Freeman Mbowe.

NATIONAL Chadema Chairman Freeman Mbowe has called on members and followers of opposition parties to distance themselves from tribal sentiments in predicting the next president.

Addressing followers of the opposition parties in Mwanza who turned up in large numbers to the public rally organised to introduce the UKAWA Union presidential candidate, Mr Edward Lowassa, Mr Mbowe hinted that tribalism should not be entertained in the election campaigns.

He was reacting to speculations spread by some people who he said have been quoted saying the next president could come from the country’s two prominent areas.

“This is dangerous to the unity and tranquility Tanzanians have enjoyed all along,’’ he warned.

Mr Mbowe urged the people to flatly refuse to be divided along tribal and racial lines, adding that the coming president could be from any tribe, be it Haya, Sukuma, Masai, Chagga or any other, provided he legally wins the elections.He said it was on that spirit of unity that the four opposition parties reached the decision to unite their parties under the UKAWA umbrella so that they could remain strong and win this year’s elections.

“In Tanzania, we have about 27 political parties. But why all those parties if it is not a game of divide and rule? We formed UKAWA to get rid of the trick; and here we stand to win this election by over 80 per cent,” the Chadema leader boasted.

On his side, the UKAWA presidential candidate, Mr Lowassa, said although he had come for an introduction to the electorate he was encouraged by the huge turnout he has seen in Mbeya, Mwanza and Arusha so far.

He said he has so much in store to talk about during the official campaigns later this month, mentioning railway transportation, marine transportation and cotton prices and marketing, among others.

As Mr Lowassa was reading his implementation list, the people shouted at him to address the issue of erratic electricity supply of which he said he would summon responsible authorities to discuss the matter.

National NCCR-Mageuzi Chairman James Mbatia urged Mwanza residents to shun chaos and violence during the campaign period, insisting that peaceful electoral conduct was vital in ensuring free and fair polls.

He appealed to police in Mwanza Region to observe peace and tranquility as keeping peace was their primary role.

The incumbent MP for Nyamagana, Mr Ezekiel Wenje, hailed UKAWA coalition members and supporters “for such historic turn out’’, asking them to do the same on Election Day.

/Daily News.