CCM first, complaints later, says ‘defeated’ Mkemwa

DAR ES SALAAM: FORMER parliamentary aspirant for Mpwapwa Constituency under ruling party Chama Cha Mapinduzi (CCM), Dr Zakayo Mkemwa has called on party members to put aside personal grievances and unite behind the party’s chosen candidates ahead of the 2025 General Election.

Speaking to the press in Dar es Salaam yesterday, Dr Mkemwa upholding party unity following the recently concluded CCM nomination process, which he described as competitive but fair, remains of utmost paramount.

“Let’s break down factions and build the party. Betrayal is not politics,” he said, adding, “We must respect the decisions made by our party’s leadership and continue to speak positively about CCM.” Dr Mkemwa, a medical doctor by profession and a native of Mpwapwa District, recounted his journey within the party, noting that this was his second attempt to vie for the Mpwapwa parliamentary seat.

In 2020, he emerged third among 64 aspirants, a position he held again in the just-concluded 2025 internal elections, which involved 17 candidates.

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He applauded the increased participation and transparency in the recent nomination process, which he said was more competitive due to the higher number of voting delegates. “Out of 17 names, seven were shortlisted by the party leadership.

I was fortunate to be among them,” said Dr Mkemwa. “In the primaries, I came third with 1,734 votes, while the winner, Mr Nathan Alimlimah, received 2,665 and the second candidate garnered 2,140 votes.” Dr Mkemwa stressed that the process was conducted with integrity and that no irregularities were observed.

He congratulated the winner and pledged his full support to ensure CCM wins by a landslide in the upcoming elections.

“I accepted the results with humility. I am still young and I believe my time to serve the people will come. For now, my job is to help strengthen the party and rally support for our candidate,” he said.

Addressing discontent among some unsuccessful aspirants, Dr Mkemwa discouraged defections and public criticism of the party, branding such actions as immature and unpatriotic. With national campaigns starting yesterday in Dar es Salaam, Dr Mkemwa urged all citizens to turn out and listen to President Dr Samia Suluhu Hassan, who will be presenting CCM’s manifesto.

He expressed confidence in the president’s track record, citing major achievements in healthcare, education, infrastructure and rural development.

“This year’s campaign will be easy. The president’s work speaks for itself. For those who cannot see, they will be told; and those who cannot hear, they will be shown. We are ready to go wherever she leads,” he declared.