Mwanakikjiji could be sinking, I am sorry to say. Kuungana kwa upinzani (kwa namna yoyote ile vyama vitakavyokubaliana kufuatana na sheria zilizopo) ni kitu chema kabisa na ndiyo maana hiyo huwa ni tishio kwa chama tawala.
CCM haipendi vyama vikaungana na ndiyo maana wameweka ugumu kufanya hivyo – tofauti na ilivyo Kenya kwa mfano. Na ninaweza kuthubutu kusema kwamba urahisi uliokuwapo kuungana vyama huko Kenya ndiko kumesaidia kuleta uwiano wa maana katika Bunge lao (about 50-50).
Mimi nashangaa MMKJJ anajaribu kuli-complicate suala la wito kwa upinzani kuungana kwa kuleta masuala ya "waungane vipi" au/na "kwa lengo gani" vitu ambavyo kinazungumzika kabisa kwa pande zenye lengo jema.
Kuhusu fallout yake na Chadema: Siwezi kuingilia kwa undani kwani kuna mengi ambayo hatuyajui. Lakini niruhusu nikasema hivi:
In 1995 I supported NCCR to the hilt, but they could not make it. Had Nyerere remained neutral Mrema could have become President, even though looking now in hindsight, that would have been catastrophic. But nonetheless, it would have been the end of CCM as we know it – it would have taken the same path as UNIP and KANU.
In 2000 I supported CUF – it turned out to be a huge disappointing to me. The party failed to shake up the religious label that was branded to it by CCM. They could of course.
In 2005 I was largely an onlooker (in the opposition side of course) as I watched Chadema making an impact, however little.
After 2005 Chadema's stand on corruption, starting from the Mwembeyanga list of Shame up to EPA revelations drew a lot of support and from opposition – as testified by Tarime by-election.
But with this – as expectedly -- came a fierce backlash from CCM and its systematic campaign against Chadema and its leaders. Many expected that of course but somehow, Chadema had to bear the brunt alone – it appeared other opposition parties – CUF, NCCR and TLP appeared to shun it, with some of its leaders even giving statements opposing Chadema's stand on the issues of ufisadi.
It was distressing, because if there was a very good opportunity for opposition parties to unite, then it was during that time. But we can easily guess who had sleepless nights in ensuring that did not happen – CCM of course!!!!!
I'm of course trying hard to understand why MMKJJ does not seem to see the situation in this light. I have no answer, but I harbour a suspicious mind!
Rather that promoting a new opposition party, the idea should have been to reduce their multitude by promoting party mergers. And that is what CCM is always scared of and is ready to use all means, by hooks or crooks (mostly the latter) to ensure it never happens!