CCM issues stern warning to errant aspirants
DODOMA: CHAMA Cha Mapinduzi (CCM) Secretary-General, Ambassador Dr Emmanuel Nchimbi, has issued a stern warning to party members engaging in unlawful tactics, including bribery, to secure nominations for councillors and parliamentary positions ahead of the 2025 General Election.
Speaking in Dodoma during the opening of a training session for the ruling party’s branch and ward secretaries from Dodoma District, Dr Nchimbi condemned the premature campaigns by some aspirants who use dubious means, such as establishing Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs), sponsoring social events—including funerals and weddings—and influencing party meetings to seek endorsements.
“We have observed some MPs and councilors devising ways to ensure they are nominated without competition. Some are manipulating resolutions in meetings, while others attend public events to introduce themselves to voters prematurely,” he said.
He added: “There are those offering allowances to attendees wearing CCM attire to create a false impression of overwhelming support. We demand that they stop immediately. CCM has a robust system for monitoring members’ conduct, and all these actions are being recorded. They may be surprised to find their names sidelined.”
Dr Nchimbi urged incumbent councilors and MPs to remain focused on their duties rather than diverting their attention to election preparations.
He emphasized that the party would assess candidates based on their performance, not their financial influence over voters.
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“We have seen individuals elected to office only to remain inactive for five years, banking on a handful of party members to secure re-election. Our new system aims to select candidates based on their work and service to the people not through bribery or secretive manoeuvres. Once elected, we expect you to deliver,” he stressed.
He noted that the recent constitutional amendments within CCM, spearheaded by the party’s chairperson President Samia Suluhu Hassan, were designed to increase voter participation in primaries, ensuring broader public opinion and closing corruption loopholes.
Additionally, Dr Nchimbi highlighted that some members eyeing leadership positions had begun manipulating internal processes to secure unopposed nominations a practice he declared unacceptable. “We are seeing cases where MPs and Councillors push for unchallenged nominations.
Some engineer resolutions in meetings to endorse them as sole candidates. Others organise funerals, birthdays, and wedding celebrations, where attendees receive allowances while wearing CCM attire to create a false political event,” he pointed out.
Dr Nchimbi, who along with President Samia has been endorsed as the party’s flag bearer in the forthcoming general election, warned that CCM would track and document such activities, disqualifying those engaged in secret campaigns early.
“Some have established NGOs for political gain, while others resort to defaming current officeholders. To all of them, we say: stop immediately. You are wasting your time and pushing us toward removing you from contesting.
We will not tolerate these actions,” he cautioned. Dr Nchimbi called on CCM leaders at all levels to uphold fairness by strictly adhering to the party’s Constitution and regulations without bias.
“We aim to build a party led by capable leaders, not those who leverage their financial resources. Those seeking leadership positions will have an opportunity to be elected based on their competence,” he added.
Regarding the training, the diplomat said it aims to empower CCM’s grassroots leaders, ensuring they are well-equipped to discharge their duties diligently.
According to Ambassador Nchimbi, CCM’s victory depends on the internal strength of its system, members’ confidence in the party, and the performance of its government under President Samia Suluhu Hassan.
