Old faces resurface in CCM intra-party elections

THE ruling party CCM has continued with its intra-party elections for various positions countrywide, where some old guards who had served in various capacities have resurfaced and clinched positions as regional chairpersons of the party.

A round-up by this paper in different regions has identified some of the old faces as former Minister for Energy and Minerals, Mr Naziri Karamagi, who has been elected as new Chairman of CCM for Kagera Region.

The other veteran politicians who have bounced back into active politics included, Mr Adam Kimbisa who has been elected Dodoma Regional CCM Chairman after garnering 902 votes against the incumbent, Mr Godwin Mkanwa who collected 290 votes.

Former Member of Parliament for Temeke who served between 2005 and 2015, Mr Abbas Mtemvu, has also been elected as new Dar es Salaam Regional CCM Chairman, taking over from the incumbent Ms Kate Kamba.

In Kagera region, Mr Karamagi emerged victorious after edging out Ms Costancia Buhiye, who has been serving in the position for the past 15 years since 2007.

The development comes as the party continues with intra-party elections to elect leaders at Regional and District levels as well as members of the National Executive Committee (NEC) and leaders for its youth, women and parents’ wings.

During the hotly contested election held in Bukoba Municipal Council Hall on Tuesday, Mr Karamagi scooped a total of 669 votes against 452 votes which were garnered by Ms Buhiye.

Two other contenders, Mr Medard Mushobozi, collected 18 votes while Mr Novatus Nkwama got five votes. A total of 1,144 CCM members in the region cast their votes while two votes were spoilt.

In a related development, Mr Amri Karim from Karagwe District emerged victoriousin the race for NEC seat, representing Kagera region after collecting 751 votes and edging out former representative, Mr Wilbroad Mutabuzi, who got 368 votes.

Speaker of the National Assembly, Dr Tulia  Ackson, who supervised the elections, congratulated the winners while also warning CCM members countrywide to avoid engaging in corruption as it tarnishes the good image of the party.

Mr Karamagi, on his part, thanked the delegates who attended the meeting noting that he would closely work with other leaders to consolidate the party.

In Arusha Region, Mr Zello the Stephen retained his position after being re-elected to continue serving as Regional Chairperson of the party for the next five years.

Announcing results of the election, former Prime Minister Mizengo Pinda, said Mr Zello the scooped 683, votes followed by Mr Robert Kaseko, who gathered 281 votes while Edna Kivuyo got only six.

Mr Zello the thanked CCM members in the region for their continued trust in him, and pledged to cooperate with in fulfilling objectives of the party and the country as a whole.

On the other hand, CCM members in Rukwa region elected former Special Seats Member of Parliament, Ms Silafu Maufi, as their Regional Chairperson.

The election was held at Nazareth Hall under the supervision of Katavi Regional Commissioner (RC), Ms Mwanamvua Mrindoko.

Ms Maufi got 300 votes out of 553 votes cast followed closely by former Member of Parliament for Nkasi South constituency, Mr Deusdedit Mipata,who garnered 230 votes while former councilor in the municipality, Mr Sigfred Kasitu, got 20 after two votes were spoilt.

The election for NEC position to represent Rukwa region was won by businessman, Mr Sultan Seif, who scooped 323 votes out of 554 cast against his competitor, Sumbawanga Urban constituency Member of Parliament Mr Aeshi Hilaly, who collected 217 votes.

Other contestants and their votes in brackets included, Mr Baraka Ulumboka (11 votes) former District Council Executive Director (DED) and Mr Ephraim Kalumalwendo individually collecting three votes and the outgoing NEC member, Mr Sospeter Kasawanga coming out empty handed.

The contestants who lost the election conceded defeat and pledged to cooperate with the new elected leaders.

The newly elected Chairperson,Ms Maufi told the gathering that she will work with the ruling party members for the betterment of the people, further promising to serve them tirelessly regardless of their political ideology and affiliation.

The new NEC member for Rukwa, Mr Seif equally vowed to work hard by addressing the existing challenges afflicting the residents of the region.

On his part, the outgoing CCM Regional Chairperson, Mr Rainer Lukara, said he had done well during his tenure in office and asked for forgiveness for his shortcomings.

In Tanga Region, former CCM Chairperson for Pangani District, Mr Rajab Abdallah, was elected as their Regional Chairman.

The supervisor of the election who is also Arusha Regional Commissioner, Mr John Mongela, said Mr Abdallah garnered 1340 votes followed by Mr Mathias Mkingwa collecting 29 and Mr Derrick Kazoba trailed with nine.

In the same region, Mr Mohamed Ratco retained his seat as member of the party’s NEC after scooping 774 votes followed by Mr Hasab Bomboko(563) and Mr Omar Sempoli trailing with 45.

On the other hand, Mr Jamal Tamimu has been elected as Kigoma Regional CCM Chairman, after gathering 694 votes against 106 collected by Mr Joseph Masabo and Mr Masoud Mtabiri coming third with just eight.

The supervisor of the election who is also Tabora Regional Commissioner, Dr Batilda Buriani, also announced Mr Abdulkadri Mushi as the region’s member of NEC after he scooped 645 votes against 105 votes garnered by his competitor, Mr Shauri Kayandabila and Mr Salum  Sasilo trailing with 57.