CCM members set to defy party in Constituent Assembly meeting

Members of the Consituent Assembly follow yesterday’s proceedings in the House. 

PHOTO By  EMMANUEL HERMAN 

Dodoma.
Some Constituent Assembly (CA) members from CCM have vowed to reject the party’s official position of advocating a two-government union structure when the CA debates the draft constitution.

The Citizen has learnt that the decision by CCM’s Central Committee has split members from the ruling party. While some support the party’s line, others back the three-tier union proposed in the draft.

Some members who spoke on condition of anonymity on the grounds that it was too early to reveal their identities said it was time Tanganyika was revived after it was abolished following its 1964 merger with Zanzibar.

CCM said on Monday that it would continue to press for current two-government setup to be maintained, adding that its members in the CA were prepared to vigorously challenge the three-tier proposal.

CCM conducted a seminar for its members in the CA ahead of the assembly’s meeting in Dodoma.

The party’s Ideology and Publicity secretary, Mr Nape Nnauye, told reporters on Monday that CCM members would go into the CA with one agenda – to defend the two-government arrangement and reject the three-tier structure proposed by the Constitutional Review Commission.

But some members said yesterday they would not stand by their party’s official position, and would instead back the proposal in the draft constitution.

They said the proposal in the draft reflected the will of the people, who had already decided that the three-government arrangement was the best option for Tanzania. Mwibara MP Kangi Lugola was the only CA member from CCM opposed to his party’s position who was ready to be named.

He said there was no way he could support the two-government position while the people had clearly spoken that they want a three-government structure.

“We need to differentiate between what the party wants and what the people want. I’m a representative of the people in the Constituent Assembly. I’m therefore looking forward to backing the three-government proposal, which is supported by the majority,” said the MP, who has in the past ruffled feathers in CCM.

Dr Khamis Kigwangallah (Nzega-CCM) said the structure of the Union should be decided by Tanzanians, not a few people.

“This is not a matter to be decided by a small group. A party or its representatives cannot decide on the future of the Union. This is a sensitive issue that all Tanzanians should decide on,” he said.

Dr Kigwangallah said, for instance, that the Union issue touched on the nationality of Tanzanians, adding that this could not be left in the hands of political party operatives or activists.

Ms Beatrice Shelukindo (Kilindi-CCM) said three governments were initially her preference, but had decided to stand by her party’s position after being educated on how the two-government structure could solve current union challenges.

She added, however, that her support for a two-tier union would depend on whether she would be convinced further that it was the best option for Tanzania.

Meanwhile,

Constituent Assembly members yesterday elected the Zanzibar House of Representatives Speaker, Mr Pandu Ameir Kificho as the interim chairman. The main responsibility of Mr Kificho will be to preside over the creation of standing orders, which would form a backbone of running of the assembly business.

Announcing the results, the Clerk of the Assembly, Dr Thomas Kashililah who was being assisted by the House of Representatives Clerk, Mr Yahya Khamis Hamad, said Mr Kificho obtained 393 votes, equivalent to 69.19 per cent of 568 votes cast.

He emerged winner after beating Prof Costa Rick Mahalu who managed 84 votes equal to 14.79 per cent and ms Magdalena Rwebangira who also got similar amount of votes.

Chanzo; The Citizen