32 return forms as clock ticks

Mr Eidephonce Bilohe arrives at CCM headquarters in Dodoma yesterday to hand in presidential nomination forms. He was among 32 aspirants who had submitted their forms by 4pm yesterday, 24 hours before today’s deadline. PHOTO | EMMANUEL HERMAN 

By  Katare Mbashiru The Citizen Reporter

In Summary

Forty-two CCM members had picked up nomination forms and it remains to be seen whether the remaining ten hopefuls will hand in their papers before 4pm today.     

Dodoma. Thirty-two aspirants seeking CCM nomination had returned their application forms by 4pm yesterday, exactly 24 hours before today’s deadline.

Forty-two CCM members had picked up nomination forms and it remains to be seen whether the remaining ten hopefuls will hand in their papers before 4pm today.

Those who had handed in their forms by the close of business at CCM headquarters yesterday included Livestock and Fisheries Development minister Titus Kamani, Finance deputy minister Mwigulu Nchemba, Natural Resources and Tourism minister Lazaro Nyalandu, Home Affairs Minister, Mathias Chikawe, Foreign Affairs minister Bernard Membe, Nzega MP Hamisi Kigwangalla, Dr Mwele Malecela and Mr Eidiphonce Bilohe.

Others are former intelligence chief Hassy Kitine, Ms Monica Mbega, Dr Augustine Mahiga, Foreign Affairs Minister Asha-Rose Migiro, Transport minister Samuel Sitta, Agriculture and Food Security minister Stephen Wassira, Mr Boniphace Ndengo, Minister of State in the President’s Office (Special Duties) Mark Mwandosya and Mr Leonce Mulende.

Also on the list are Ms Amina Salum Ali, Eala member Makongoro Nyerere, former prime ministers Fredrick Sumaye and Edward Lowassa, Prime Minister Mizengo Pinda, Mr Amos Siyantemi, Vice President Mohammed Gharib Bilal, Mr Ali Karume, Prof Sospeter Muhongo, Works minister, John Magufuli, East African Cooperation minister Harrison Mwakyembe, former Chief Justice Augustino Ramadhani, Mr Maliki Marupu, Kisesa MP Luhaga Mpina and Joseph Chaggama.

Former Prime Minister Edward Lowassa once again defended himself against allegations of corruption levelled against him.

“Whoever thinks I was involved in any wrongdoing should submit evidence instead of propagating rumours,” said the Monduli MP, who resigned in 2008 after he was adversely mentioned in a parliamentary probe report on the Richmond scandal.

Former head of intelligence Hassy Kitine was the first to arrive at CCM headquarters yesterday, and promised to end corruption if nominated and elected president on October 25.

He said he would see to it that Tanzania enacted laws that would provide for stiffer punishment of offenders found guilty of corruption.

Next was Finance deputy minister Mwigulu Nchemba, who said his agenda was to take the country to the next level and ensure that Tanzania becomes a middle-income country in the next few years.

“I will have zero tolerance against corruption, and I will see to it that the Prevention and Combating of Corruption Bureau is given more powers to arrest, investigate, prosecute and convict culprits.

Nzega MP Hamisi Kigwangalla also talked about corruption after handing in his forms.