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By Sylivester Ernest,
The Citizen Reporter
Dar es Salaam. Recent changes to the Chama Cha Mapinduzi (CCM) constitution, which sideline MPs and other leaders from the National Executive Committee (NEC), might create internal rifts, the party has been warned.
Political analysts who spoke with The Citizen yesterday described the changes as a gamble that is likely to feed divisions. Instead of placing hurdles in the way of members seeking to vie for leadership posts, the critics argue, the party should have changed its constitution to reflect its foundations, notably the Arusha Declaration, which set the leadership ethos.
But there are those who argue that the decision to elect delegates to the National Executive Committee from district level is a positive move in that the party will now have representatives from the grassroots. The new development also means that the majority of members will have a say on who represents them in the party’s decision-making body. Sceptical analysts see the move, though, as a strategy to keep some prominent members and their followers out of the NEC ahead of the General Election.
A lecturer at the department of political science and public administration of the University of Dar es Salaam, Dr Alexander Makulilo, told The Citizen yesterday that blocking members who hold permanent positions from contesting the NEC positions was tantamount to fuelling rebellion.
“I am afraid,” said Dr Makulilo. “The loyalty of some MPs might weaken now that they won’t be sitting in the decision-making bodies. In the past, they were able to strongly stand (in parliament) and support the decisions reached in party meetings, but this won’t be the case now. It could prove costly.”
But in an interesting twist to the tale, the scholar suggests that politicians—especially those seeking top elective posts—will now have to make a tough choice on whether to go for parliament or the NEC.
The ruling party’s Publicity and Ideology secretary, Mr Nape Nnauye, was quick to play down these fears, saying the changes were not aimed at legislators only.
“Why on earth should someone have his eyes put on MPs only?” he asked. “We have other position holders like councillors, regional and district chairmen and others who will also not be allowed to contest the NEC positions. It is not an issue of MPs here.”
With the changes, the 221 NEC positions will involve permanent work for the party, Mr Nnauye said, and it would be unwise to hand them over to people who already hold other party-related positions.
On a different note, Dr Makulilo said the party was heading in the right direction but it would be imperative to enforce discipline—which is clearly stipulated in the Arusha Declaration.
A veteran politician and former MP, Dr Chrisant Mzindakaya, told The Citizen that the changes were essential for the party. “They are very good…but let me not speak much,” he said. “I will find time to speak more on those changes…but they are good.”
According to Mr Nnauye, the changes are part of CCM’s decision last April to clean house. “We are taking this party closer to the people…anyone having a grudge against these efforts is against our party and he or she had better resign,” the Publicity and Ideology secretary said.
But Mr Pul Loisulie, a tutorial assistant at the University of Dodoma, argued that the party appeared to be getting desperate in the face of the political heat in the country.
He added: “This might or might not work. It is like they are just gambling. If the interests of some powerful people are being restricted, they can use some other means to achieve some ends. I wish them (CCM) the best of luck.”
Meanwhile, CCM yesterday released a timetable for the Arumeru East by-election to fill the vacant position following the demise of Jeremiah Sumari on January 19 at the Muhimbili National Hospital.
Mr Nnauye told reporters in Dodoma that the decision was reached by the National Executive Committee held on February 12 under the chairmanship of President Jakaya Kikwete. The exercise also involves the nomination of eight candidates for councillors after the National Election Commission officially declared vacancies recently.
Candidates have until February18 to return the forms, and the constituency nomination meetings will be conducted on February 20.
“The district political committee is expected to discuss the candidates and give their recommendations to the regional political committee,” Mr Nnauye noted.
The regional political committee is expected to meet on February 24 to review the names of the candidates before submitting recommendations to the central committee—which will meet on February 27 for the final nomination of the party flag bearers.
The process to nominate the candidates for eight vacant councillor seats is scheduled to run until February 16 while the campaign rallies will be held from February 17 to February 21. Local meetings for opinion polls will be held on February 22. Additional reporting by Daniel Msangya and Alinikyisa Humbo in Dodoma
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