Minister of Information Nape Moses
Nnauye engages in a deep conversation with Bukoba Urban MP Stephen Byabato.
Photo: Courtesy.
By Adonis Byemelwa
In a recent statement, Tanzania's
Minister of Information, Communication, and Information Technology, Nape Moses
Nnauye, assured residents of Bukoba and CCM members that their MP, Stephen
Byabato, would win the upcoming election.
Minister Nape, who visited the region
as part of his tour of the Lake Zone, is inspecting the construction of 758
communication towers across 26 regions in mainland Tanzania. His itinerary
includes stops in Kigoma, Kagera, Geita, Mwanza, and Shinyanga.
“Election results aren't necessarily what's in
the ballot box; it depends on who counts and who announces them. There are many
electoral strategies, legal, semi-legal, and illegal, and they can all be used
as long as you end up saying, 'God forgive me,'" Nape declared.
Nape Nnauye's recent remarks at
Kashai Market on July 15, 2024, have stirred controversy, claiming that
election victories depend not on the votes cast but on who counts and announces
the results. These statements clash with democratic principles, particularly as
local elections and the 2025 general elections approach.
In response, the ruling party,
Chama cha Mapinduzi (CCM), has firmly rejected Nape's assertions. Amos Makalla,
the party's Secretary for Ideology, Propaganda, and Training, stated on July
16, 2024, that such views do not reflect CCM's official stance. “A leader has
suggested that election wins don’t come from ballot boxes. Let me clarify: this
is not CCM's position,” Makalla asserted, reinforcing the party's commitment to
fair electoral integrity.
Makalla emphasized that CCM
respects the results and decisions made by the people through the ballot box.
“CCM will honor any outcome, and anyone who wins fairly will be granted
victory,” he added.
Nape's comments, made during an
event where MP Stephen Byabato presented plans for the new Kashai Market, have
raised significant eyebrows and heightened tensions ahead of the crucial
elections.
These comments erode trust in the
current government and its institutions, fostering a belief among the next
generation that electoral malpractice is acceptable for the ruling party, says
Gration Kishashu, a diaspora based in the US.
On September 16, 2023, Nnauye's
assertion that data packages are a luxury and that those struggling should use
regular credit sparked outrage among users already burdened by high network
costs.
This insensitivity has drawn comparisons to
Marie Antoinette, the former Queen of France, who famously retorted, "Let
them eat cake," upon learning her subjects had no bread. Such responses
highlight a disconnect between leaders and the hardships faced by the populace,
casting doubt on whether Article 8 of the Constitution of the United Republic
of Tanzania, which mandates that leaders derive their power from the people, is
anything more than a decorative piece in the law books.
If this constitutional mandate is
disregarded, one might question why leaders take oaths on the Bible, Quran, and
Constitution. Citizens have the power to demand lower data costs, as enshrined
in the Constitution.
Anyone opposing this should revisit
the relevant legal provisions. In 2016, Nape criticized Tanzanians for
supporting live broadcasts of parliamentary sessions, arguing that constant TV
viewership detracted from productivity, thus justifying the discontinuation of
live broadcasts.
Nape's remarks suggest that Tanzanians
lack the discernment to balance entertainment and work, implying the need for
ministerial guidance even in personal matters like family care and education
expenses. During the 2010 election, Nape bluntly stated that CCM would win even
by a "handball goal," indicating his readiness to condone electoral
fraud to secure victory.
In June of this year, Nape praised
President Samia Suluhu Hassan for allowing opposition rallies, only to accuse
the opposition of ingratitude and divisiveness. "Some have many questions
on this matter, and they have been answered well.
But a few use this debate to divide the
nation. We should not leave them be; let's confront them openly," Nape
declared passionately, emphasizing the need to protect national unity at any
cost. This statement has since led to threats against activists like Lugemeleza
Nshala and treason charges against figures such as Dr. Wilbord Slaa and lawyer
Boniface Mwambukusi.
Currently, political circles in Bukoba
indicate a fierce competition between Stephen Byabato and Special Seats lawmaker,
Neema Lugangira, who has been actively engaging with the community and
providing assistance, with analysts linking her activities to strategic
maneuvers to outshine Byabato. Nape's controversial visit to Bukoba aimed to
bolster Byabato's position amid public displays of vulnerability.
Byabato, who is also the Deputy
Minister for Foreign Affairs and East African Cooperation, recently appealed to
Bukoba residents during the signing ceremony for the construction of a new
modern bus terminal.
"Bukoba is ours to develop or destroy. I
ask for your cooperation to advance our city. I will not abandon my projects
for fear of losing my seat. If I must choose, let the seat go, but let the
projects continue," Byabato pleaded, his eyes brimming with tears.
The local CCM leadership criticized
Byabato for airing grievances publicly instead of through proper channels,
intensifying internal party conflicts.
The political landscape in Bukoba is further
complicated by Justine Kimodoi, a businessman based in the U.S., who has been
involved in a palm tree planting project that faced sabotage. These tensions
unfold as CCM's Mainland Vice Chairman, Abdulrahman Kinana, warned party
members aspiring for leadership positions to wait until the official election
period. Kinana instructed political committees and ethics bodies to monitor and
address premature campaign activities.
Kinana's recent remarks in Hai,
Kilimanjaro, praised MP Saashisha Mafuwe for his exemplary leadership and
called for unity within the party. "Our party has a well-established
system for elections. From the presidency to local leadership, we have a code
of ethics guiding us," Kinana asserted on September 5, 2023, underscoring
the importance of adhering to CCM's electoral rules and government regulations.
This call for unity contrasts sharply
with Nape's controversial remarks, which criticized efforts to undermine others
by launching premature campaigns. Such comments have stirred tensions within
the party, raising questions about loyalty and integrity as elections approach.
Adding to this complexity, secondary school
headmasters, under the guidance of former Education Minister Joyce Ndalichako,
recently contributed significant sums toward President Samia's nomination
forms, indicating a strong push for her continued leadership.
The juxtaposition of Kinana’s emphasis
on ethical conduct and Nape's concerns about premature campaigning highlights
the intricate dynamics at play within CCM, as factions vie for influence ahead
of the upcoming electoral cycle. The growing financial backing for President
Samia's nomination further complicates the landscape, suggesting that unity may
be harder to achieve as ambitions rise.