Tanzania: Membe Urges Fellow Aspirants 'To Accept the Outcome'

Morogoro — A CHAMA Cha Mapinduzi (CCM) cadre seeking presidential candidacy, Mr Bernard Membe, has urged colleagues in the race to accept the outcome and rally behind the aspirant who would be appointed to fly the party's flag next month. The top party's organs including the Central Committee (CC), National Electoral Committee (NEC) and National Congress are expected to meet and sort out candidates to get the party's presidential aspirant ahead of the general elections in October.

Addressing CCM party members here yesterday, Mr Membe, who is Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Minister, said since the top party's organs have the final decision, every candidate should be ready to accept them.
Mr Membe was speaking to party members at the Morogoro Urban CCM District Office while seeking signatures to endorse him in the presidential nomination race. He is required to get 450 sponsors in 15 regions, three of which are from the Isles.
However, Morogoro became his 25th region, including those of Zanzibar, to get sponsors, garnering 955 sponsors. CCM Morogoro Urban District Secretary Kulwa Milonge, handed over the form to Mr Membe.
Mr Membe, who is also MP for Mtama, pointed out that CCM has a good system of getting the right candidate, which was put in place by the late Father of the Nation, Mwalimu Julius Nyerere.
"The party has never made mistakes in appointing a presidential candidate. Therefore, we all should be ready to accept the decision the party is going to make soon. We should avoid any person or group of people lying CCM members as this party is bigger than any person," he said.