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Sitta leaves CCM, joins Chadema
By DAILY NEWS Reporter, 31st March 2011 @ 20:00, Total Comments: 0, Hits: 66
VETERAN CCM politician and East African Cooperation Minister Samuel John Sitta on Thursday announced that he was joining the opposition Chama cha Demokrasia na Maendeleo (CHADEMA), citing his recent row with the ruling partys youth wing (UVCCM) as among the reasons for his decision.
The former Parliament Speaker told a well-attended news conference in Dar es Salaam that he is also unhappy with the way things are presently done in CCM, which he accused of "embracing and dancing to the tunes of wealthy, greedy and corrupt individuals, mainly businessmen of Indian origin.
Mr Sitta further expressed his dissatisfaction with what he alleged as failure by the CCM government to tame the various ills in society, including grand corruption and embezzlement of public funds.
He cited Richmond, Dowans and radar issues. The Urambo East (CCM) MP, who automatically forfeits his parliamentary seat as a result and paves way to a by-election to seek his replacement, also talked about his bitter experience in his effort to continue as Speaker.
He was eliminated from the race that was eventually won by Njombe South MP Anne Makinda. Mr Sitta, who said that he would contest in the by-election on CHADEMA ticket, cited certain irregularities and "political intrigues within CCM as factors that thwarted his bid to re-occupy the post.
He did not elaborate. On his decision to choose CHADEMA from the pack of more than 10 political parties in the country, Mr Sitta, who is also a lawyer by profession, said he has always been a secret admirer of the political party, which leads the Opposition Camp in the House, due to "its good policies.
Both CHADEMA National Chairman and Hai MP Freeman Mbowe and Secretary General Dr Wilbrod Slaa confirmed having talks with Mr Sitta on his move to the party.
They said he was most welcome and were sure he would be pivotal in strengthening the party on the way to the 2015 general elections.
CCM Secretary General Yussuf Makamba said when contacted for comment that although Mr Sitta, like any other Tanzanian, was free to subscribe to any political party of his or her choice, he did not think that he (Sitta) has made a wise decision. "We know that he is aggrieved on a number of issues.
But leaving CCM and joining CHADEMA is, frankly speaking, one of the most unwise decisions I have ever seen taken by a leader of Mr Sittas calibre in my entire political career, Mr Makamba observed. Meanwhile, have an amusing April Fools' Day; wont you!
By DAILY NEWS Reporter, 31st March 2011 @ 20:00, Total Comments: 0, Hits: 66
VETERAN CCM politician and East African Cooperation Minister Samuel John Sitta on Thursday announced that he was joining the opposition Chama cha Demokrasia na Maendeleo (CHADEMA), citing his recent row with the ruling partys youth wing (UVCCM) as among the reasons for his decision.
The former Parliament Speaker told a well-attended news conference in Dar es Salaam that he is also unhappy with the way things are presently done in CCM, which he accused of "embracing and dancing to the tunes of wealthy, greedy and corrupt individuals, mainly businessmen of Indian origin.
Mr Sitta further expressed his dissatisfaction with what he alleged as failure by the CCM government to tame the various ills in society, including grand corruption and embezzlement of public funds.
He cited Richmond, Dowans and radar issues. The Urambo East (CCM) MP, who automatically forfeits his parliamentary seat as a result and paves way to a by-election to seek his replacement, also talked about his bitter experience in his effort to continue as Speaker.
He was eliminated from the race that was eventually won by Njombe South MP Anne Makinda. Mr Sitta, who said that he would contest in the by-election on CHADEMA ticket, cited certain irregularities and "political intrigues within CCM as factors that thwarted his bid to re-occupy the post.
He did not elaborate. On his decision to choose CHADEMA from the pack of more than 10 political parties in the country, Mr Sitta, who is also a lawyer by profession, said he has always been a secret admirer of the political party, which leads the Opposition Camp in the House, due to "its good policies.
Both CHADEMA National Chairman and Hai MP Freeman Mbowe and Secretary General Dr Wilbrod Slaa confirmed having talks with Mr Sitta on his move to the party.
They said he was most welcome and were sure he would be pivotal in strengthening the party on the way to the 2015 general elections.
CCM Secretary General Yussuf Makamba said when contacted for comment that although Mr Sitta, like any other Tanzanian, was free to subscribe to any political party of his or her choice, he did not think that he (Sitta) has made a wise decision. "We know that he is aggrieved on a number of issues.
But leaving CCM and joining CHADEMA is, frankly speaking, one of the most unwise decisions I have ever seen taken by a leader of Mr Sittas calibre in my entire political career, Mr Makamba observed. Meanwhile, have an amusing April Fools' Day; wont you!
