CCM in Kahama faults cadre Lembeli on Union structure

Former National Assembly Speaker Pius Msekwa clarifies a point on the Articles of Union before CA Committee Number Two members in Dodoma yesterday. To his left are former Zanzibar Chief Minister Shamsi Vuai Nahodha and Isle’s Attorney General Othman Masoud Othman. PHOTO | CA 

By Shija Felician The Citizen Correspondent

In Summary

Meanwhile, a cross section of residents interviewed separately by this reporter supported the three-government Union structure, as proposed in the second Draft Constitution, which calls for the restoration of Tanganyika.

Kahama. The Chama Cha Mapinduzi (CCM) leadership in the district has criticised Kahama member of Parliament’s stance on the Union structure, saying that his statements to the media were his personal opinion, not Kahama residents’.

The clarification was made in reaction to James Lembeli’s recent statement to the media that he and Kahama residents supported either three or one government Union structure, contrary to his party (CCM)’s stance of two government format.

Yesterday, CCM publicity secretary for Kahama District, Mr Masoud Melimeli, held a press conference in his office and insisted that Lembeli’s statement did not represent the views of CCM members in Kahama.

However, majority Kahama residents, irrespective of their political ideologies, appear to support Lembeli’s view, which contravenes CCM’s preference of two governments, as propagated by the CCM district leaders in compliance with the official opposition of the ruling party.

The position that CCM supports the two-tier government format has been chanted by the ruling party’s national leaders, including its chairman and country’s President Jakaya Kikwete.

Mr Melimeli told journalists that because Lembeli’s statement contravened the party’s standpoint, the party in the district would hold a special meeting to discuss him, as a party member.

He stated that Mr Lembeli, as CCM lawmaker, ought to cooperate with other CCM leaders in campaigning for the two-government Union structure.

“We will summon him so that we cooperate in educating the people on the significance of having the two-government Union structure, which is our party’s standpoint,” said Mr Melimeli.

The publicity secretary acknowledged that Lembeli’s view had surprised CCM leaders despite the fact that he, like any other Constituent Assembly member, has the right to air his views in the ongoing constitution making process.

Meanwhile, a cross section of residents interviewed separately by this reporter supported the three-government Union structure, as proposed in the second Draft Constitution, which calls for the restoration of Tanganyika.

For his party, CCM district secretary Alexandrina Katabi said, “I don’t want to initiate a public debate on Lembeli’s view. I don’t think that Mr Lembeli was wrong to declare his viewpoint, but I’m sure that the party’s national leaders heard him and would therefore deliberate on the matter.”

However, speaking over the phone, Mr Lembele said, supporting the three-tier government Union doesn’t mean getting out of CCM, stressing that his views were known by CCM top leaders.