OUTGOING Chama Cha Mapinduzi (CCM) National
Chairman Jakaya Kikwete yesterday warned
incoming chairperson, President John Magufuli, not
to expect an easy ride once at the party’s helm as
national chairman.
Speaking at the opening of the ruling party’s National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting here, former president Kikwete said sometimes things did not go the way one expected.
“As you take over the chairmanship, there are times when meetings get very hot, thus calling for great tolerance on your part, knowing it is through such forums that things get done,” said Kikwete.
He pointed out that delegates who looked buoyant in the hall yesterday only did so when things were alright, but would be very harsh when things went wrong because they always expected nothing but good results.
Kikwete reminded NEC members, including the incoming chairperson, that the party went through great political turbulence which threatened to divide it completely, but it sailed safely and went ahead to win elections as was expected.
He said it was at such times that he sought support and advice of the council of party elders comprising former heads of state and prime ministers.
The former president noted: “Since CCM survived the strong political currents towards the last general elections, it will not die any time soon as some people expected.” He added that he was sure the new leadership would make it even stronger and more popular.
He recalled a time when he entered a NEC meeting, only to hear some delegates singing songs in praise of their to-be candidates.
According to the outgoing party leader, although there were then a lot of traitors in the party they failed to achieve their goal of rocking one of the oldest party on the African continent. He stated that those were some of the leadership challenges which the new chairman would encounter.
He noted that the government was seriously working hard to improve service provision to the people at all levels, a trend that was likely to lure back those who seemed to have lost hope in the party.
Kikwete, who was chairing his last NEC meeting, entered the conference room a few minutes before 11 o’clock in the morning, only to be pleasantly surprised by the flamboyant mood among the committee members.
They cheered him almost every time he mentioned the name of the incoming chairman, a sign that they were all ready to receive President John Magufuli as their new leader.
At least 365 out of 374 NEC members, being 97.5 per cent of the delegates, attended the meeting whose main agenda was to approve and recommend to the party’s National Congress the Central Committee’s endorsement of President Magufuli as the new chairperson. The Congress meets today.
Kikwete termed yesterday’s NEC meeting as historic, being his last one, adding that if he attended such a meeting in days to come it would be by invitation only.
He now joins the ranks of former presidents Ali Hassan Mwinyi and Benjamin Mkapa in the party’s council of elders, who are always invited or consulted, particularly during hard times when a serious decision is to be taken.
Kikwete admitted that NEC played a great role as the party headed to last year’s general elections during which CCM faced its most difficult challenge since its establishment.
He quoted one newspaper as reporting that CCM would die by 2020, refuting the claims and insisting that it would still remain in power, not by force, but by doing the right things.
The former head of state clarified that the ruling party understood the needs, challenges and aspirations facing Tanzanians, adding that the government was working tirelessly to improve their livelihood.
After serving in the position for ten years, Kikwete said the party was still strong despite a few challenges, urging the delegates to cooperate with new leaders in their effort to steer it to another level.
He expressed optimism that all the delegates to the National Congress would today vote for President Magufuli to be the new national chairman of the party just as it was agreed at the Central Committee meeting on Thursday.
Meanwhile, most CCM members walking in groups are just discussing today’s meeting, expecting a landslide victory for Magufuli. Despite strict security at different areas of the municipality, with the CCM headquarters being a no-go zone, the town, which is in full party colours of green and yellow, is in an upbeat mood.
Today’s meeting is the talk of the town, and most party delegates are happy, saying the new chairman would turn things around in the party.
Yesterday President Magufuli was cheered as his motorcade arrived at the party headquarters for the NEC meeting. In his traditional style, the head of state went around shaking the hands of mostly party youths who had lined up to receive him. It was a similar show when he entered the conference hall as the delegates went up in thunderous cheers.
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