Ukawa has lost way - Lipumba Says he feels guilty inviting Lowassa to Ukawa

By Correspondent

Prof Ibrahim Haruna Lipumba bids journalists farewell in Dar es Salaam yesterday as he drove away shortly after announcing his resignation as opposition Civic United Front national Chairman. (Photo: Halima Kambi)

 Professor Ibrahim Haruna Lipumba has resigned as Civic United Front (CUF) national chairman, but promised to remain a member of the party.

 

He gave two reasons for doing so, one being that the four opposition parties operating under the Coalition of People’s Constitution better known as Ukawa has erred in going for former Prime Minister Edward Ngoyai Lowassa as their flag bearer in the General Election slated for October 25.

 

He said Ukawa had defaulted on its main objective of “getting Tanzanians the best Constitution representing the will of the people”.

 

Announcing his resignation at a press conference in Dar es Salaam yesterday, Prof Lipumba said handing over to Lowassa power to run the nation would be “much like dumping all the efforts made and achievements registered by the coalition in fighting fight for the desired Constitution”.

 

“Lowassa is one of the people who participated in passing the proposed constitution that Ukawa is strongly against,” he noted.

 

Nonetheless, he admitted that he too took part in enticing Lowassa into joining Ukawa, adding: “However, now I feel guilty and that is why I have decided to step down and make my decision public.”

 

Prof Lipumba said though he is resigning from his position as chairman of the party however, he will remain a party member up to 2020 when his membership card expires.

 

He said another reason that forced him to quit the position is that some of the CUF leaders and members see him as “an obstacle to the party’s progress.’ However, he refrained from stating in what way they accuse him ‘an obstacle to the party’s progress”.

 

 “On August 1, this year I informed the party’s executive committee of my decision and they are aware of it… Today I have submitted the resignation letter to the CUF secretary general’s office,” he added.

 

The development comes with rumours having reached fever peak as to the professor’s reaction response to Ukawa’s endorsement of Lowassa as its flag bearer in the race for  the Tanzanian presidency come October 25 on the Chadema ticket.

 

Now that he has stepped down from party leadership, Lipumba said he will place his focus on his professional side as a professor of economics. 

 

He said he will hold advocacy meetings to advise policy makers and the general public on key matters to demand from the coming government, especially on how to build a strong economy which will create more employment opportunities for youth and women.

 

Then after the election, Prof Lipumba said, he will engage in research on economic issues for the country’s benefit.

 

Efforts to get a response from other leaders in Ukawa as to how his stepping down would affect the coalition failed, with Chadema national chairman Freeman Mbowe saying they were locked in discussions in the wake of the development and would give an official statement “soon”.

 

Members of the public interviewed for this story expressed mixed reactions to Prof Lipumba’s decision, some saying it would in no way affect the opposition coalition and others suggesting that he was such an influential figure that the move would weaken the coalition.

 

“Some see him as unprincipled because he first welcomed him publicly now he has turned around,” said a Dar resident who opted for strict anonymity.

“He has many supporters in Mtwara, Coast and Lindi and even if he stays in the party, his resignation will affect the participation of his followers come voting day,” he noted.

 

He also pointed out that new rumours have emerged purporting that Prof Lipumba may be serving as a pone of CCM to weaken the coalition noting that by stepping down, “these rumours are fuelled even further and this taints his image”. 

 

Earlier this week, Ukawa endorsed former Prime Minister Edward Lowassa as its presidential candidate in the October General Election.

 

The parties also endorsed former Zanzibar Health Deputy Minister Juma Duni Haji as presidential running mate.  Lowassa and Haji were endorsed through an open ballot during Chadema’s National Convention held in Dar es Salaam.

 

Addressing the convention, the two candidates promised to conduct peaceful campaigns and called upon the government to refrain from using undue force and to allow the people to exercise their democratic right and vote for the candidate of their choice.

 

Freeman Mbowe said that the country has for a long time now being demanding social, economic and political change and this year’s elections gives them the opportunity to achieve the change.

 

“We, Ukawa, have agreed to file a single presidential candidate whose name has been approved,” he said.

 

“We believe that all what is happening is God’s plans and miracles thus we need everyone blessed with power from God to join our movement,” he noted, adding: “The national dream for change will not be realised if we will not unite as one.”

 

Mbowe said Chadema had no reason to reject anyone deciding crossing over to it, adding: “On the contrary, we will welcome them and only ask that they leave behind all the bad attributes from their previous parties”.