DAR ES SALAAM CITY CAME TO A STAND STILL AS LOWASSA COLLECTS PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE FORMS

BY THE GUARDIAN TEAM

11th August 2015

Traffic and business on and along several roads in Dar es Salaam came to a standstill mid-morning yesterday as supporters of the four opposition parties forming the Coalition of People’s Constitution (Ukawa) headed to the National Electoral Commission (NEC) offices.

Ukawa-endorsed Chadema presidential hopeful Edward Ngoyai Lowassa (R) and running mate Juma Duni Haji (2nd-R) collect nomination forms for the purpose from National Electoral Commission official Deogratius Nsanzugwanko at NEC offices in Dar es Salaam yesterday. (Photo: Selemani Mpochi)

The parties are Chama cha Demokrasia na Maendeleo (Chadema), Civic United Front (CUF), NCCR-Mageuzi and National League for Democracy (NLD).

The multitudes were escorting Ukawa-endorsed Chadema presidential candidate Edward Lowassa and running mate Juma Duni Haji to pick up nomination forms.

Wearing   brightly coloured clothes, the supporters began assembling at roundabout 10 am at CUF headquarters situated in the city’s densely populated Buguruni suburb – waiting to march, drive or ride from the CUF offices to the National Electoral Commission’s (NEC) downtown offices.

NEC offices are located at Posta House, at the Ohio Street/Ghana Street junction, some ten kilometers from Buguruni. Bus commuters were left stranded as virtually no buses could make it to the city centre.

All the time, coalition supporters chanted the popular Chadema slogan: “People’s Power”, as well as “We need change…CCM must go come the October. 2015 General Election”.

Looking lively and elegant in party colours, they sang, cheered, danced, yelled and jeered as convenient, as crowds lined roads leading to the city centre waiting for Lowassa to arrive at CUF headquarters.

The supporters turned up in massive numbers despite an earlier declaration by Dar es Salaam Special Zone Police Commander Suleiman Kova that the demonstration was not only uncalled-for but also illegal.

Police had wanted the march to begin at the Chadema head office along Ufipa Street in Kinondoni District, arguing that Lowassa was after all a Chadema candidate in that Ukawa was not officially recognised and therefore he had no business including the offices of the coalition’s other member parties in his itinerary.

Our reporters who witnessed the drama say security was especially tight, with a heavy police presence in place to ensure that everything went as planned. No major incidents were reported.

As time ticked by, the crowds grew even bigger despite the scorching sun, most respondents saying they were eager to get a close look at former Prime Minister Lowassa only days after he ditched CCM in preference for the opposition.   

At the CUF head offices, it was virtually impossible to sneak through as security was tight everywhere as the cheerful crowds kept singing and chanting in unison.

Officials representing the parties forming Ukawa started arriving around 10 pm ready to welcome Lowassa and other former CCM leaders who recently joined Chadema.

Several political heavyweights who ditched the ruling party to join Chadema also attended the event. They included former Arusha CCM regional chairman Onesmo ole Nangole and publicity secretary Isaack Joseph.

There was relentless shouting and chanting as two police Field Force Unit (FFU) vehicles arrived at the CUF offices loaded with tear gas canisters, escorting the Ilala regional police chief and other police officers. It was not immediately established what they had discussed with officials of the opposition parties then around, but peace reigned.

Lowassa’s motorcade arrived at 10:15 am and was received by, among others, CUF secretary general Seif Shariff Hamad, NCCR-Mageuzi national chairman James Mbatia, Lowassa’s running mate Juma Duni Haji, and Chadema national chairman Freeman Mbowe.

A cheerful-looking Lowassa endlessly waved to the cheering crowds, before being led inside the offices for a brief meeting and thereafter signing a visitors’ book.

Lowassa and his motorcade left for the NEC offices under police escort, party guards and supporters who waited eagerly to see him and his running mate pick up the nomination forms.

Escorted by thousands of people, including motorcyclists, Lowassa arrived at NEC’s offices at roundabout 1pm and thereafter picked up the forms. 

At the Ufipa Street Chadema headquarters, multitudes of supporters waited for a mammoth rally similar to the one witnessed at the CUF and NEC offices.

Given that the premises could not comfortably hold the swelling crowds, Chadema deputy secretary general (Zanzibar) Salum Mwalimu ordered that the “ceremony” move to Biafra grounds, where Lowassa and other officials spoke. The event was broadcast live on television.

Lowassa thanked the multitudes “for the massive support and solidarity you have demonstrated by turning up in such massive numbers today”.

“I never expected such a turnout. Thank you for the respect you have shown to me today, but I still implore you to continue supporting us by attending our campaigns and also voting for us so that we can vote CCM out of power,” said Lowassa.

The Chadema presidential candidate promised to do his most to spare Tanzania runaway inflation, saying: “Once in power, we will work on all the challenges our country is grappling with.”

SOURCE: THE GUARDIAN