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Tanzania's CCM candidate promises electoral victory

Monday July 13 2015
492316-01-02

Tanzania President Jakaya Kikwete (left) congratulates Minister of Works Dr John Magufuli in Dodoma on July 12, 2015, after he was nominated ruling Chama Cha Mapinduzi (CCM) party's presidential candidate for the country's General Election due to be held in October 25. PHOTO | AFP

Newly elected Chama cha Mapinduzi (CCM) candidate for the Tanzanian presidency, Dr John Pombe Magufuli, said in his acceptance speech delivered in Dodoma town that he will be “a servant of the people."

Dr Magufuli, 56, spoke of the overwhelming feeling he had to contend with since Saturday night when it dawned on him that he would be the chosen candidate to succeed President Jakaya Kikwete.

“I have nothing to pay you back with but I thank you from the bottom of my heart for showing faith and entrusting this huge responsibility with me,” said Dr Magufuli, as he thanked CCM officials and members for their near-unanimous vote to be the party’s flagbearer in the General Election in October.

“Today is a historic day for CCM and for me as an individual. On Saturday when I asked for your vote, I said I wanted you to send me out to work. I pledge now that I will be your servant. I will work with all my dedication and ability as blessed by God,” he told an ecstatic crowd, including President Kikwete who cheered him along.

The Works minister walloped two other aspirants in the last stage of what has been an acrimonious nomination process to clinch the prized ticket. He scooped 2,104 votes (87.1 per cent) against 253 votes (10.5 per cent) for Ms Amina Salum Ali and 59 votes (2.4 per cent) for Dr Asha-Rose Migiro.    

The results announced to the filled-up auditorium at the mammoth 3,800-seat Conference Centre by the former Speaker of the National Assembly Ms Anne Makinda, was an emphatic endorsement for Dr Magufuli who built a profile of a forceful and result-oriented cabinet minister for 15 years.

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READ: CCM picks John Magufuli to run for president

His victory appeared to galvanise CCM which had gone through a bruising contest by some 38 aspirants for the ticket to run for the presidency, pitting some of the party’s bigwigs who spared nothing to outdo each other.

Open defiance

The rivalry, especially among the powerful camps aligned to former Prime Minister Edward Lowassa and Foreign Affairs minister Bernard Membe, threatened to split the ruling party down the middle.

Mr Lowassa’s supporters in the decision-making organs of the party threatened to revolt when his name did not feature in the top five shortlisted by the central committee on Thursday. 

READ: CCM fallout looms as Lowassa left out of presidential race

For the first time in the history of the party, President Kikwete who doubles up as the party’s national chairman faced open defiance from National Executive Committee (NEC) members who chanted praise in favour of Mr Lowassa as the meeting to endorse the top three aspirants got underway.  

Were it not for the intervention of retired presidents Ali Hassan Mwinyi, Benjamin Mkapa and Amani Abeid Karume of Zanzibar, as well as other leaders forming an Advisory Council, the crisis threatened to get out of hand. 

In the end, calm returned when Mr Membe, rumoured to be Mr Kikwete's choice, was also dropped from the final list that had Dr Magufuli, Ms Ali and Dr Migiro.

It was the first time in the country’s history that the names of two women aspirants for the top job to had reached that far in the nominations.

Sunday as he rallied the support of the losing aspirants and that of every other CCM member, Dr Magufuli said he will need their support to win the General Election on October 25th.

“By your vote, you have showed the world that the party has resolved to move forward as one and our unity will guarantee us a huge victory in the elections,” he said. 

Alluding to the bruising battle for the nomination, Dr Magufuli said he was happy that the end was peaceful and the party intact. He revealed that he had talked to all the losing aspirants who assured him of their backing.

“CCM has once again demonstrated that it has the capacity to overcome big and small challenges. We have tested leaders and internal structures. That gives me the assurance to march forward with confidence,” he said.

Standing ovation

The chemistry teacher who moved from the classroom to quickly climb the political ladder showered praise on President Kikwete, saying he had steered the party and the country well.

“I am delighted to receive the flag from a dedicated party servant and promise that I will not let him down and will strive to work with all CCM members and tap from the wisdom of our retired national leaders as well.”

Dr Magufuli received a standing ovation when he finished giving his remarks. He also got a brotherly hug from the man he may likely replace as the tenant of State House should CCM beat the opposition in the polls to extend its over 50 years reign on power.

The minister’s status has quickly changed since Saturday when it became apparent that he was the one to beat in the nominations. Sunday, security was beefed around him, with more bodyguards shadowing every movement that he made in and outside the Conference Centre. 

The days ahead will get busier for Dr Magufuli as the country enters the homestretch in the election campaigns. He addressed his first public rally in Dodoma later on Sunday evening to introduce himself to the public. 

It is also going to be a new life for his little-known wife, Janet, who was probably making her first major appearance as a VIP at the podium filled by who-is-who in the country’s political landscape. She was ushered to the platform as soon as her husband was declared the duly elected CCM candidate for the presidency.   

But the family will be comforted by the warm and glowing attributes that each of the speakers at the CCM meeting piled on Dr Magufuli, led by the losing aspirants Dr Migiro and Ms Amina.

Dr Ali Mohammed Shein who was endorsed unopposed to run for the second term as Zanzibar’s president.

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