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2009-08-17 07:59:00
Elders' wisdom save CC meeting
CCM Central Committee members Ali Ameir Mohammed (left) and Abdulrahman Kinana chat in Dodoma yesterday.
By Faraja Jube, Dodoma
THE CITIZEN
THE CITIZEN
Wisdom of elders within the ruling Chama Cha Mapinduzi, yesterday saved the party's Central Committee meeting from breaking up, The Citizen has learnt.
Allegations heaped against its secretary general, Mr Yusuf Makamba, led to heated exchanges between the committee members, with one group pressing for the expulsion from the party of the flamboyant politician.
Reports from the meeting, which was extended for several hours yesterday due to the debate centering on Mr Makamba's performance as the party's secretary general, said it was the wisdom of the elders which saved the day, with the group that supported Mr Makamba emerged victorious.
The CCM Central Committee concluded its business yesterday evening at the party headquarters along Kuu Street in Dodoma to pave the way for the National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting which started at about 6.00pm yesterday.
The CCM Ideology and Publicity Secretary, Mr John Chilighati, however side-stepped the issue when he met reporters soon after the CC finished its meeting.
He told reporters that about ten agendas were proposed by the CC and will be discussed during NEC meeting, the forthcoming local government elections being the top agenda.
However, when asked about the heated debate in the CC, he declined to comment, saying the media briefings would be done after the end of the NEC meeting.
But he said the controversy over Zanzibar voters? registration exercise would also be on the agenda list.
He hesitated to clearly say whether the NEC meeting would discuss unethical conducts committed by some party members, the Roman Catholic circular or allegedly grand corruption scandals that engulfed the party through its powerful members.
The NEC, which is the top CCM decision making organ, would convene this evening (yesterday) at 6:00pm and will complete its meeting tomorrow (today). So you will be briefed thereafter,? said Mr Chiligati.
A large section of CC members had wanted Mr Mkamba out of the secretary general post on the ground that his performance is not satisfactory. Some members claimed that SG's performance has been the source of divisions within the party.
A source said a section of CC meeting which convened under its chairmanship, President Jakaya Kikwete, raised their concern over the secretary general?s performance.
They urged him to quit the post as they alleged his presence created rivalry camps within CCM.
But the elders reportedly maintained that by expelling Mr Makamba at a time when the civic and general elections are just around the corner, would do harm to the party and benefit the opposition.
Sources within the CC meeting tipped The Citizen of the fierce discussion during the two-day meeting on issues of grand corruption scandals and allegations involving some prominent party members.
Reports indicate that it was a battle between two camps, those who are said to be waging war against grand corruption and those who defend those accused of the misdeeds.
One group also demanded to know how party secrets have been leaking and they held Mr Makamba responsible for that.
"There was a tug of war between the camps. Both camps wanted their rivals expelled from the party," a source tipped this newspaper.
The NEC meeting among other things, will vote for one CCM member to fill the vacant NEC seat through CCM parents' wing. The seat fell vacant following the death of Mbeya Rural MP the Late Richard Nyaulawa.
On Saturday, the Central Committee meeting nominated three out of 19 party members to contest for the vacant post. The shortlisted are Sifa Amani Swai, Jasson Rweikiza and Ramadhan Maneno.
