A falling-out looms in Tanzania’s Opposition following the nomination of former prime minister Edward Lowassa to contest the presidency on the opposition Chadema’s ticket after his defection from the ruling Chama cha Mapinduzi.

Prof Ibrahim Lipumba has resigned as chairman of the Civic United Front (CUF) citing his unease with the manner in which Mr Lowassa was nominated while Chadema secretary-general Dr Wilbroad Slaa was sent on indefinite leave after he snubbed activities to celebrate Mr Lowassa’s defection.

The developments may dampen the opposition’s hopes of mounting a formidable battle for State House in the October 25 elections.

READ: Lipumba’s sudden resignation dents Ukawa’s solidarity ahead of election

Mr Lowassa had been seen as the shot in the arm the opposition needed to take on CCM owing to his immense wealth and political muscle.

Having jumped ship after his bid to contest the presidency on a CCM ticket was blocked, he was welcomed by Chadema, a party that had hitherto accused him of corruption, and handed its ticket. He was expected to be the joint Ukawa coalition candidate.

Last week, Prof Lipumba, who had been at the helm of the party since 1995, said the nomination of Mr Lowassa would kill Ukawa’s dream, while Dr Slaa paid the price of snubbing major events since Mr Lowassa’s arrival and the party has indicated that it would go into the election campaigns without him.

Prof Lipumba, the founding chairman of CUF, has played a critical role in strengthening the party’s popularity on the mainland while Dr Slaa, who vied for the presidency in 2010 on a Chadema ticket, helped it to edge out CUF as the country’s main opposition party.

However, Prof Lipumba and Dr Slaa have differed in their approaches to handling the situation. While Dr Slaa has preferred silence, Prof Lipumba made it clear that his resignation was prompted by dissatisfaction with Mr Lowassa’s case.

“I was involved in welcoming Lowassa but I have a guilty conscience,” said Prof Lipumba while announcing his resignation. “CCM killed the people’s draft constitution; I am not sure if we will manage to fulfill the vision of Ukawa.”

The scholar said that it would be in the best interest of the opposition if he stepped down as CUF chairman but promised to play a role as an economist.

Dr Haji Semboja, a lecturer in the Department of Economics at the University of Dar es Salaam, and political commentator, told The EastAfrican the coalition stood a historic chance of beating CCM but the recent developments have raised doubts on whether that was possible.

Reflection of immaturity

The infighting in the opposition is a reflection of its immaturity as an alliance, said Dr Semboja.

He added that, even in CCM, there were claims of procedures not being followed in nominating the current flagbearer, Dr John Magufuli, but the party has remained, to a large extent, stable. He associated the debacles within the opposition with the politics of self-interest.

“The coalition of the Opposition could have worked well if it were nurtured well in advance but this one was just a product of a temporary demand, a united voice for a new Constitution,” said Dr Semboja.

“The Ukawa alliance could have worked well in the constitution bid but constituency politics is different from national politics.”

Prof Lipumba had said allegations of corruption against Mr Lowassa were baseless and unfounded.

Dr Semboja said Prof Lipumba and Dr Slaa had become victims of power mongers within their own parties although there was a possibility of sabotage from outside.

“It is strange to see that, with all the recent corruption scandals, people could still give CCM an easy ride,” he added, but warned CCM not to expect an easy victory.

Reacting to Prof Lipumba’s resignation, Ismail Jussa, CUF’s acting director of information and publicity, said: “We as a party have received information of his resignation and we respect his conscience.

“It is his democratic right, as long as he sees it better for his interest. In its existence, the CUF has faced a gruelling and tumultuous journey and all the time it has came out even more energised.”