Chadema's Lema to face former ally in October election

Arusha. A close ally of Godbless Lema, the Arusha Urban Member of Parliament on a Chadema ticket, Noel ole Veroya picked the nomination form here yesterday to face off the lawmaker in the October General Election.

Five Chama Cha Mapinduzi (CCM) members including a prominent mineral dealer Thomas Munisi and Arusha One radio station director Swalehe Kiluvia, also picked the forms to contest the post on the ruling party’s ticket.

“I am not contesting to a wage war against the outgoing lawmaker, but I am exercising my constitutional right and duty to vie for any post and to take part in the building of democracy and development of Arusha and the nation at large through the post,” Mr Veroya said.

Three other Chadema cadres, including Mr Lema, have already picked the forms apart from seven women members who are eyeing Special Seats posts including Joyce Mukya, who is defending the post.

Others who have already returned the Speical Seats forms, are Viola Likindikoki, Glory Kaaya, Pamela Chuwa, Teresia Minja and Grace Macha.

Mr Veroya said his first priority if his party nominated him and the electorate voted for him would be creating jobs for the youth regardless of their political affiliations, race or creed. He would also work hard to improve education, health, infrastructure, peace and tranquility in a bid to pave the way for development in the constituency.

“I will closely cooperate with relevant authorities and stakeholders to put in place a favourable environment for the youth to grab existing job opportunities,” he said.

Mr Veroya served the party in various capacities including as chairman of the youth wing for Arusha District, Chadema secretary for Ngarenaro Ward, and was one of the front-runners in the 2010 campaigns for Mr Lema and councillors.

Another Chadema cadre Masigwa Mwakatobe has already returned the forms for the post which Mr Lema said though he will defend it, he will never campaign, for none of his rivals from within Chadema or the ruling party was a threat.

Chadema chairman for the district Derrick Magoma, who is also contesting a parliamentary seat in Hanang’ Manyara Region, said all those eyeing the parliamentary post should pick forms by Sunday ready for the nomination to take off with effect from Friday.

Meanwhile, CCM secretary for Arusha District Ferouz Bano handed over five forms valued at Sh100,000 each to Advocate Edward Ngemela, Mohamed Omary, Mosses Mwezarubi, Munisi and Kiluvia.

Bano said the CCM constitution requires the cadres to fill the forms and return them without pomp by 7pm on Sunday ready for scrutiny.