After a week of suspense, hopefuls in the race for the Tanzanian presidency breathed a sigh of relief on Friday after the Chama cha Mapinduzi (CCM) central committee lifted a seemingly indefinite ban on their participating in the party’s politics.

After a long meeting, the central committee resolved to lift the ban imposed on six presidential aspirants.

CCM publicity secretary Nape Nnauye said in Dodoma that “The central committee had concurred with recommendations of the security and ethics committee to end the punishment imposed on the (six banned) members.”

This development came amid rumours that the powerful committee was considering locking the six out of contention, a move seen as meant to bar former premier Edward Lowassa from running on a ruling party ticket.

READ: Edward Lowassa ruffles feathers in CCM

On Thursday and Friday, Mr Lowassa’s supporters had camped in Dodoma awaiting the committee’s decision.

CCM bigwigs have been meeting in Dodoma to discuss, among other things, the party’s election manifesto and the nomination procedure for candidates.

Mr Nnauye said the ban had been lifted but warned aspirants against further violation of the party’s procedures.

“Those who want to contest, are warned against premature campaigning, which will be in violation of the party regulations.”

Throughout last week, Mr Lowassa’s supporters waited to see whether his aspirations would be shattered as the central committee met to deliberate his fate.

Aboubakar Liongo, spokesman for Mr Lowassa, has confirmed having knowledge of the apparent move but did not want to comment.

There were reports that Mr Lowassa has already mobilised nearly 75 per cent of members of the party’s national executive committee to support him during the nomination polls.

The 378-member NEC is the electoral body within CCM with representation from all regions, which will vote for the party’s flag bearer in the presidential race, after the aspirants have been vetted by the party’s central committee.

No blocking

Sources who spoke to The EastAfrican said Mr Lowassa will easily sail through the process because once he collects the form, it will be nearly impossible for the central committee to block his bid.

The other five who had been banned are Foreign Minister Bernard Membe, second phase prime minister Frederick Sumaye, former energy minister William Ngeleja, Agriculture, Food and Co-operatives Minister Stephen Wasira and Deputy Technology and Communication Minister January Makamba.

It is not clear why the government is against Mr Lowassa’s bid for the presidency, but the former premier is known to be a senior presidential aspirant who has spent nearly 10 years building his support.

READ: As the race to succeed Kikwete hots up, Lowassa is the man to watch

Other likely aspirants are former home affairs minister John Nchimbi, Minister of State (President’s Office) Special Assignment Prof Mark Mwandosya, Deputy Finance Minister Mwigulu Nchemba, Minister for Constitution and Legal Affairs Dr Asha-Rose Migiro and immediate former energy minister Prof Sospeter Muhongo, who resigned over the infamous escrow scandal.