A Tanzanian opposition lawmaker
says tension within the ruling Chama Cha Mapinduzi (CCM) party will
boost the chances of the opposition coalition to win the presidential
vote.
The CCM has ruled the country since the country gained independence in 1961.
Tundu Lissu of the Chadema party
says the opposition parties' Ukawa coalition will take advantage of the
apparent split among supporters of the ruling party to win.
His comments came after senior
officials of the CCM Central Committee excluded former Prime Minister
Edward Lowassa, from the list of aspiring candidates to lead the party
in the October 25 general election.
Lowassa was seen as a front-runner
in the presidential race because of the crowds that welcomed his
campaign across the country. His opponents however accuse him of being
divisive and tainted with corruption. Lowassa denies the accusations.
The ruling party’s central
committee led by outgoing President Jakaya Kikwete excluded Lowassa from
a five-member list of candidates ahead of the October vote.
Opposition Hopeful
Analysts say Lowassa’s exclusion
could split the ruling party, and give the opposition coalition a chance
to win the presidential vote. Lissu agrees with the assessment.
“This is the end game for CCM and
it has been this way for quite a while,” said Lissu. “The fact that
Edward Lowassa has been taken out of the race will definitely cause even
bigger tension and divisions within the CCM. It will surely put us in a
much better position to win power in October.
“Our chances are very good,” said
Lissu. “They were very good with Lowassa and they are very good with
whoever comes… [Lowassa] has not been able to win the people within his
party. We know the reasons why he was drawing huge crowds [because] his
campaign has been very well financed. He spent billions to get people on
the streets to get people to show support to him.”
Some supporters of the former prime
minister say Mr. Lowassa should consider joining an opposition party to
challenge the ruling party due to what they said is his popularity.
Lissu disagreed.
“I don’t see Lowassa crossing over
from CCM to join with Ukawa. Firstly, because he is not the type of
politician who has the boldness required to cross over. It is also a
fact that if he crosses over to the opposition, there is no way he can
be our flagbearer in the coming election in October. So, I don’t see any
incentive for him to cross over except for the maybe retaliation,” said
Lissu.
He said the reaction of supporters
from the opposition coalition has been quiet. Lissu however says the
group has been focused on intensifying its nationwide campaign ahead of
the vote.
“We have been preparing ourselves
so whoever comes from CCM... we are being prepared. So the fact that it
is not Lowassa does not in any way lower our le
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