The long wait for Chadema new SG

Mwanza. Mwanza. Opposition Chadema was last night expected to unvail its new secretary general to lead the party into the future as it looks to rebuild from the 2015 General Election. 

Top party officials kept the identity of Dr Wilibrod Slaa's replacement close to their chests even as our sources intimated that it was proving a difficult task to pick between candidates for the post. 
Party chairman Freeman Mbowe was the man expected to present the nominee to the National Governing Council, but the task had not been completed by 9.30pm as we went to press.

Sources revealed former CCM stalwart Ambassador Juma Mwapachu, who ditched the ruling party in 2015 and supported the presidential candidacy of former PM Edward Lowassa on a Chadema ticket, declined the offer that would have thrust him into national politics. Efforts to reach him for comment were futile.

The names of former PM Frederick Sumaye and Dr Marcus Albanie were also mentioned among the delegates meeting in Mwanza but nothing concrete was coming out of it. Mr Salum Mwalimu who has acted in the position since Dr Slaa left the party was seen as not a strong candidate even though he had the eye and ear of Mr Mbowe.

The party’s Central Committee was meeting late last night as they  considered the final steps of revealing the all-important name, with a weary team of delegates and journalists camped at the venue since morning. 

Earlier, Mr Mbowe dismissed claims that he was bribed to enable former Prime Minister Edward Lowassa to contest the presidency on the Opposition party’s ticket.

Mr Lowassa, who also attended the meeting, said all claims were baseless and that whoever spread such lies was doing so to gain political mileage and fail the opposition. 

The two leaders were giving remarks at the party’s National Governing Council that took place in Mwanza yesterday.

It was the first time the duo responded to the accusations levelled against them ahead of last year’s October elections.

Both Mr Mbowe and Mr Lowassa said they were deeply hurt by the allegations and that they were being spread by people within and outside the party. “I have been reluctant to respond or give any comment on these allegations. Truly speaking, I was deeply hurt by this nonsense, which surprisingly even involved some Chadema members and leaders,” said Mr Mbowe.

He added: “I have never and will never do so. There will be no individual or group of people who will be allowed to use their money or wealth to buy Chadema. This party is an institution.” 

Mr Mbowe said Chadema will continue to be people-centred and would not die just because a leader or a group of leaders decided to defect to other parties let alone receiving members from rival parties.

For his part, Mr Lowassa said he was not rich enough to buy an institution of the magnitude of Chadema that boasts millions of members, followers and supporters across the country. “Where do I get such amount of money to buy this party and all of its members? I have been hearing some people calling me a ‘little Dangote’; Inshallah! Maybe their prophesy would come true some day,” said Mr Lowassa.

The former Premier joined Chadema last July after defecting from the ruling CCM. His bid to run for the presidency on his former party’s ticket had flopped. Despite indications he was the likely candidate to win the primaries, his name was removed from the list of contenders in the early stages.  

Special seat allocation

Regarding allegations of bias in the parliamentary special seats nomination process, Mr Mbowe said the party secured only 36 posts while it already had 29 voted members from each region, meaning it remained only with seven seats to be divided among members.

“We decided to give four seats to Mr Lowassa as a favour for those who crossed with him from CCM to Chadema, and the remaining three seats were divided according to the party’s criteria,” said Mr Mbowe.

He noted that he was disappointed by leaders who resigned from their posts after they were not nominated for special seats. I wish every member in this party could concentrate on how to build it instead of thinking about special seats. We need to strengthen the party so that we can be able to take power through fair, credible and free elections,” noted Mr Mbowe. Commenting on the 2015 general election’s results, Mr Lowassa said he had urged fellow members to refrain from uttering inflammatory statements, despite pressure from various groups, especially the youth. 

He said he decided to remain silent in order to preserve the country’s peace and stability.

“People were frustrated by the results. Some of them became too emotional, especially the youth. Any irresponsible statement could have seen our country plunge into a political crisis. This is not Chadema’s intension,” said Mr Lowassa.

He said after a retreat and thorough evaluation, the party decided it had better prepare for the next General Election scheduled for 2020.

However, Mr Lowassa said the ruling party, CCM, had paid hadsomely following his decision to  defect.