Kubenea refutes ditching Chadema over CCM

Dar es Salaam. Ubungo legislator Saed Kubenea (Chadema) has refuted reports circulating on social media that he was planning to ditch Chadema and join CCM.

Mr Kubenea, who doubles as Coast Region Chadema vice chairman, refuted the reports on Wednesday, December 6 during a press conference.

"I can’t be bought. Circulating reports against me are a typical lie. If there is anyone with evidence I welcome them to put it at the table for everybody to see,” he said.

He said CCM had embarked on “slavery politics” whereby money was used to attract people to join it, which he said was dangerous for the country’s prosperity.

According to him, the modality has been adopted to restrict opposition parties’ movements and questioning issues of public interest, including the demolition of people’s houses and exploitative contracts entered by the government.

"I can’t sabotage my party like other legislators and councillors, who have been resigning to support President John Magufuli’s leadership, which is the highest hypocrisy that won’t be in my mind,” said Mr Kubenea.

He noted that money had been used to attract opposition cadres, who had defected from the opposition party to join CCM, including former CUF legislator.

In another development, Mr Kubenea said President Magufuli’s decision to promote some government officers facing bribe charges in connection with Chadema Arusha councilors, who defected from Chadema to CCM was weakening investigation efforts by the Prevention and Combating of Corruption Bureau (PCCB).