Lema, Nape, Zitto react to Magufuli sacking Mwigulu Nchemba as Home Affairs Minister

Dar es Salaam. A number of politicians have reacted to President John Magufuli’s mini cabinet reshuffle announced by State House on Sunday, on social media.

Arusha Urban MP Godbless Lema who once predicted that Dr Nchemba will be sacked, asked him "to rejoice because of the country’s current political atmosphere."

Mr Lema claimed Dr Nchemba has been removed because he opted to be neutral to the chagrin of his boss.

“In my opinion, he decided to be warm (neither cold nor hot). That is why I told him several times that he will be sacked, unfortunately he didn’t believe it,” said the Arusha MP.

The outspoken Chadema lawmaker urged the newly appointed Home Affairs Minister Kangi Lugola to critically analyze reasons that cost his predecessor and choose the right path.

Misungwi MP Charles Kitwanga who briefly worked as Home Affairs minister before he was shown the door in unclear circumstances, congratulated Mr Lugola whom he said will blend well with Inspector General of Police (IGP), Simon Sirro. The duo once worked in the same police station in Dar es Salaam, Lugola the boss and Sirro his subordinate.

 Kigoma Urban legislator Zitto Kabwe rejoiced the fact that Dr Nchemba will be joining them in the backbench in Parliament to serve his voters.

“We know that your position on the letter by the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Tanzania (ELCT) has cost you the job. But that stand is morally right,” Kabwe wrote on his twitter handle.

Chalinze MP Ridhwani Kikwete too welcomed Dr Nchemba to hus new role as MP without portfolio, telling him to take the drop in his stride. The younger Kikwete, the son of former President Jakaya Kikwete, said he still has respect and faith in Dr Nchemba and urged him to continue supporting President Magufuli and the ruling party, CCM.

In his reaction, CCM secretary of Ideology and Publicity Humphrey Polepole, chided Mr Kabwe whom he accused of jumping into a conclusion why Dr Nchemba was dropped. 

“The president fulfils his wish according to provisions of the constitution. We respect the decision... don't take advantage to mislead and seek public sympathy,l." 

For his part Mtama Member of Parliament Nape Nnauye was more philosophical, saying the former minister will rise again after the storm.

“ Let’s serve our voters,” he wrote on his twitter page and tagged along a picture of him and Dr Nchemba in a past function. Mr Nnauye was also sacked as Information minister in the saga involving the night attack on a private television station by Dar es Salaam Regional Commissioner Paul Makonda.