Why CCM elections matter before 2025

Dar es Salaam. The ongoing CCM intra-party elections are viewed as key in strengthening the ruling party’s internal democracy and shaping the political landscape ahead of the 2025 General Election.

Read: CCM: A party competing against itself to 2025 polls

The process also provides CCM with an opportunity to effect leadership changes following last year’s death of Dr John Magufuli, who was succeeded as President and party chairperson by Ms Samia Suluhu Hassan.

Political commentators told The Citizen yesterday that the axing of several regional chairpersons was part of a shake-up meant to ensure total loyalty ahead of future elections.

They also said that despite corruption being commonplace in electoral processes in Africa, it was important for the party to distance itself from and discourage the vice.

Read: Is CCM a party in perpetual transition?

A lecturer at the University of Dodoma (Udom), Dr Paul Lousilie, said CCM was reorganising itself ahead of the 2024 local government elections and 2025 General Election.

“These are national elections in which competition is really stiff. Elected cadres will play an important role in steadying the party ahead of the elections,” he said.

His views were echoed by an independent political analyst, Mr Buberwa Kaiza, who said the ongoing elections within the ruling party marked the transition from the Magufuli-era CCM to one led by President Hassan.

“The winners are likely to get a shot during the 2025 elections,” he said, adding that there was more to recent remarks made by some CCM lawmakers and former CCM secretary-general Bashiru Ally than meets the eye.

“These statements are not accidental. These people harbour a political agenda ahead of the 2024 and 2025 elections,” Mr Kaiza added.

Read: Of cabinet reshuffles and the continued rumblings within CCM

An assistant lecturer in mass communications at Tumaini University Dar es salaam College (Tudarco), Mr Danford Kitwana, said President Hassan is using the intra-party elections to put loyalists in various positions.

“These are people sharing the same vision as the incumbent leader, and will therefore play a key role to ensure that President Hassan is reelected in 2025,” he said.

A political science lecturer at the State University of Zanzibar (Suza), Prof Ali Makame Ussi, said the ongoing elections within CCM were a pointer as to what should be expected in the 2024 and 25 elections.

“Basing on their positions, elected party leaders will significantly shape future elections since they will hold important positions within the party,” he said.

Mr Kitwana added that said while it was the expectation of members that elected leaders would bring about positive change and development, they were also looking forward to their decisive role in the forthcoming elections.

“This is because the ruling party is also striving to put together a strong lineup that will compete against other parties in the elections,” he said.

Read: Samia warns against early 2025 campaigns for Presidency

Axed leaders

During the CCM intra-party election process, the National Executive Council (NEC) struck off the names of several members who were seeking reelection bid.

The names of axed regional chairperson candidates and their respective regions in brackets are Abel Nyamahanga (Iringa), Beda Katani (Katavi), Amandus Nzamba (Kigoma), Samwel Kiboye (Mara) and Dorothy Mwamsiku (Morogoro).

Others are Yussuf Nannila (Mtwara), Anthony Diallo (Mwanza), Ramadhan Maneno (Coast), Rainer Lukarah (Rukwa) and Juma Kilimba (Singida).

Commenting on the decision, Prof Makame said qualification and disqualification depended on the ruling party’s decision-making, which was basically challenged by the presence of many applicants compared to the number of available positions.

But Dr Lousilie said difference in vision and chemistry with other regional executives could be the overriding reason.

“They could have difference in vision and orientation with party’s national chairperson (President Hassan),” he said.

Looming claims of corruption

CCM secretary-general Daniel Chongolo told journalists in Dodoma yesterday that CCM youth wing election results in Simiyu Region has been cancelled over corruption claims.

According to him, election of executive committee members in Arusha and Mbeya regions have also been suspended over similar concerns.

“A special team is investigating what has transpired in different parts of the country before making appropriate decision,” he said.

He said investigation is underway in Mjini Magharibi where one cadre is allegedly accused of carrying the ballot box to the counting room.

Mr Chongolo who doubles as party’s director of elections said they are not ready to see leaders are elected through corruptive means.

Speaking about the trend, Prevention and Combating of Corruption Bureau (PCCB) director general Salum Rashid Hamduni said several incidents are under investigation.

“CCM has used its internal powers and procedures, however, PCCB continues its investigation using procedures provided by the law, regulations and procedures,” said Mr Hamduni.

According to him, cases under investigation include the one reported in Simiyu Region where a video clip went viral showing CCM members distributing money among themselves believed to be the product of corruption.

“CCM intra-party election members are cautioned against involvement in corruption incidents, because their participation will be dealt according to stipulations of the law,” he stressed.

But, Dr Lousilie said being human beings every election candidate would like to achieve something out of their participation.

“Since they are not angels, they will try to use any available loophole including the use of corruption to achieve individual goals. But the most important thing is that there should be means of control,” he said.

Similar, comments were uttered by Prof Makame who said corruption have been common incidents during intra-party elections and other forms of processes that seeks have someone elected.

“Interested when such incidents are reacted back by authorities, because they deny the access of justice and the process of getting democratically elected leaders,” he said.

Huge competition

In Dar es Salaam outgoing regional chairperson Kate Kamba was facing a huge opposition from retired Police Force officer Jamal Rwambow, former district commissioner Baraka Konisaga and Temeke Constituency legislator Abbas Mtemvu.

In Arusha, outgoing regional chairman and former Regional Police Commander (RPC) Zelothe Steven was taking on a famous party cadre Robert Kaseko.

The ruling party in Manyara Region will see a huge competition involving Mr Simon Lulu against ECLAT Foundation chairman Peter Toima and another party cadre, Mr Fraiten Kwahhison.

In Mbeya Region, Mr Jacob Mwakasole who is seeking re-election will fiercely compete with Dr Stephen Mwakajumilo and Ms Devota Sanga.

But, at the country’s administrative capital of Dodoma, retired Brigadier General Agustino Simule takes on former Dar es Salaam Mayor Adam Kimbisa and Mr Godwin Mkanwa who is seeking re-election.

Signs of violence

Mara Regional Commissioner (RC) Major General Suleiman Mzee yesterday warned some election members who planned to disrupt the party’s meeting.

“There is a section of members who are planning to stage violence through mocking. Don’t take us there, both winners and losers should equally be respected,” warned the RC who doubles as the regional defence and security committee chairman.

In the region, competition involved a famous businessman Christopher Gachuma, Mr Ramadhani Chacha alias Musoma Bus, Mr Christopher Kangoye and Ms Dainess Shindika.