Msekwa for CCM top post

Former Speaker of the National Assembly and member of the Central Committee of the ruling CCM, Pius Msekwa, being congratulated by some members of the National Executive Committee (NEC) soon after being elected as new party Vice Chairman.

Long-serving National Assembly Speaker Pius Msekwa was nominated yesterday by the CCM central committee to vie for the post of National Vice-Chairman (Mainland).

The National Executive Committee of the ruling party, in another closed door meeting, immediately endorsed the proposal.
CCM national congress delegates are expected to cast their votes on Sunday to confirm Msekwa in his new post.

?I feel happy for being nominated,? an upbeat Msekwa told reporters yesterday soon after the announcement was made by CCM publicity secretary Aggrey Mwanri.

The central committee has also nominated incumbent party leader Jakaya Kikwete to defend his post of chairman, while Zanzibar President Amani Abeid Karume is the sole candidate for the Isles National Vice Chairmanship.

Outgoing national CCM vice-chairman (Mainland) John Malecela, who was earlier rumoured to have intended to retain his position, will now be a permanent Central Committee and National Executive Member.

The decision has been made in recognition of his immense contribution to CCM, according to the National Executive Committee.

Other names which had been floated as vying for the position of National Vice-Chairman (Mainland) were those of Prime Minister Edward Lowassa and former Prime Minister Frederick Sumaye.

Msekwa`s nomination is seen as a deliberate move to patch what has been perceived as rifts among the various factions of the party.

Msekwa has served the party in various capacities over the years, including that of National Executive Secretary, under Mwalimu Nyerere?s leadership.

Once elected, his main challenge will be to unite the main factions of the party, help the party chairman campaign against corruption and rebuild confidence at grassroots level to ensure that the party wins the 2010 election.

From Dodoma, Juma Thomas reports that the town has turned green and yellow as the ruling Chama cha Mapinduzi starts its two-day national congress today.

The national conference will take place at Kizota Hall, located at Chimwaga Hill on the outskirts of the capital-designate city.
The meeting is expected to give the party?s new leadership.

Streets have been decorated with CCM colours of yellow and green, as national congress delegates assemble at Kizota.

The meeting, the highest organ of the party, will also elect 85 members of the National Executive Committee in five categories- 20 NEC seats for the mainland; 20 seats for the women wing (13 from mainland and seven from Zanzibar) and 15 seats for the youth wing (nine from mainland and six from Zanzibar).

Other categories are 10 seats from the party?s parent?s wing (six from mainland and four from Zanzibar) and 20 seats from Zanzibar.

A total of 59 CCM members have vied for the 20 NEC seats from the mainland, and familiar faces in this category include Prof Samwel Wangwe, a don who chaired the committee that collected peoples? views on the establishment of the East African political federation.

Others are the Minister for Infrastructure Development, Andrew Chenge, Prime Minister Edward Lowassa, party veteran Abdulrahman Kinana, journalist Novatus Makunga, Tarimba Abass and Filbert Bayi.

Also in this category are journalist Shy-Rose Bhanji, Minister for Defence and National Service Prof. Juma Kapuya, journalist Lucas Kisasa, John Komba, Wilson Masilingi, Deputy Minister for Infrastructure Development Dr Makongoro Mahanga, incumbent CCM Secretary General Yusuf Makamba, Minister for Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Bernard Membe, Deputy Minister for Energy and Minerals William Ngeleja and Minister in the President?s Office (Political Affairs and Civil Society Relations), Kingunge Ngombale Mwiru.

Others are Minister for Labour Employment and Youth Development John Chiligati, Charles Kagonji, Hassan Ngwilizi, CCM Publicity Secretary Aggrey Mwanri,
Minister for Agriculture Food and Cooperatives, Stephen Wassira, Minister for Health and Social Welfare Prof. David Mwakyusa, Former Prime Minister Frederick Sumaye, Dodoma Regional Commissioner William Lukuvi and Deputy Secretary General Jaka Mwambi.

In the Women wing category, 39 CCM members have picked forms to vie for the 13 seats allocated for mainland.

These include legislators Margareth Mkanaga, Lydia Boma, Esha Stima, Diana Chilolo , Zainabu Vullu, Anne Malecela, Shamsa Mwangunga, Beatrice Shelukindo, Tatu Ntimizi and Ester Nyawazwa.

Others are Minister for Education and Vocational Training, Margreth Sitta, Deputy Minister for Lands, Housing and Human Settlements Ritha Mlaki, Minister for Community Development, Gender and Children Sofia Simba, Deputy Minister for Education and Vocational Training Mwantumu Mahiza, Deputy Minister for Health and Social Welfare Aisha Kigoda, and Deputy Speaker of the National Assembly Anne Makinda.

Others in this category are Kate Kamba, Halima Kihemba, Asha Baraka, veteran journalists Jacqueline Liana and Jane Mihanji as well as Khadija Kopa.

In the youth category from the mainland the contestants include Zainab Rashid Kawawa, Nape Mnauye, Violet Mzindakaya, Lucy Mayenga, Deogratius Ndejembi, Beno Malisa, Suleiman Mchambi, Francis Mtinga and Sixtus Mapunda.

In the party`s parents` wing, those who have picked forms from the mainland include Salum Tambalizeni, Adamu Malima, Henry Shekifu, Richard Nyaulawa, Danhi Makanga, Zainabu Gama, Mussa Zungu, Ruth Msafiri and Thomas Ngawaiya.

CCM Secretary General Yusuf Makamba said on Wednesday that apart from elections, other agenda of the meeting will include amending the party?s constitution 2005 edition, as well as discussing political situation in the country for the past five years.

During the meeting, Prime Minister Edward Lowassa will issue a report on the implementation of the CCM election manifesto for the mainland, while Zanzibar.

Chief Minister Vuai Nahodha will issue a report on Zanzibar.
A total of 1968 members will attend the national congress.

According to Makamba, CCM has invited 550 observers, 60 of whom from outside the country to witness the ruling party?s national congress that culminates in the election process which had been going on from lower levels of the party?s administrative set up.

The party has also invited other 15 political parties, some from outside the country, including ANC of South Africa and Zimbabwe?s ZANU PF.

Yesterday, contestants were still distributing leaflets bearing their CVs in attempts to solicit votes in last minute campaigns.
Candidates hired campaigners to carry their portraits and display them to the huge number of delegates.

The campaign teams were stationed at strategic locations, especially bus terminals and railway stations, so as to catch the attention of arriving members.

Anti- corruption officers have been deployed in large numbers to prevent aspirants from bribing their way through.