FREE AT LAST TO VIE FOR PRESIDENCY THROUGH CCM

FREE AT LAST TO VIE  FOR PRESIDENCY THROUGH CCM 

BY AUGUSTA NJOJI,  THE GUARDIAN, TANZANIA

23rd May 2015

The Central Committee (CC) of the ruling Chama Cha Mapinduzi (CCM) yesterday lifted the ban imposed on its six prominent cadres in February last year, reviving their presidential dreams.

The ban was slapped on the presidential hopefuls by the CCM ethics committee after they were found guilty of launching preliminary presidential campaigns prematurely against party ethics and regulations.

With the ban lifted the cadres would now be free to pick CCM presidential nomination forms when times reaches.

The cadres are former Prime Minister Edward Ngoyai  Lowassa, Foreign Affairs and International  Cooperation Minister Bernard Membe, Sengerema MP William Ngeleja, Minister for Agriculture and Food Security Stephen  [TYSON] Wassira, Former Prime Minister Frederick  Tluway Sumaye and Deputy Minister for Communication, Science and Technology January Yussuf Makamba.

The Central Committee extended the ban on the six members during its meeting held end of February this year, creating uncertainty over whether they would actively take part in the party’s presidential nomination process.

During the CC held in February this year the party suspended three former ministers — Prof Anna Tibaijuka, Andrew Chenge and  William Ngeleja — from attending National Executive Committee (NEC) and CC meetings after they were implicated in the Tegeta escrow account scandal.

According to the press statement released yesterday in Dodoma and read to press by CCM Secretary for Publicity and Ideology Nape Nnauye, the six cadres had finished serving their punishment. 

CC decision came after assessing the disciplinary committee which started early yesterday (Thursday) here in the city.

Soon after the disciplinary committee meeting ended, CC top members who were Chairman, Jakaya Kikwete, Deputy Chairman (Mainland) Philip Mangula, Secretary General Abdulrahman Kinana, CCM Deputy Chairman (Zanzibar) Ali Mohamed Shein, former Zanzibar Chief Minister Shamsi Vuai Nahodha and Prime Minister Mizengo Pinda were forced to hold an emergency meeting to discuss the matter.

Nnauye said that since the Central Committee has decided to free the cadres they are now free to proceed with party activities.

He further added that, the punishment which existed for not less than 12 months, the CC has received and accepted the recommendations of the Security and Ethics Committee suggesting to allow them to proceed with party activities.

The CC also advised the cadres and other people who are willing to contest for presidential aspirants to read and understand the stipulated regulations of the party so that they don’t get penalised.

“All those who are expecting to contest for presidential position but do not observe party rules and regulations will be punished accordingly,” he added.