CCM says JK won't participate in debate Saturday, 07 August 2010 10:16
By Hellen Nachilongo and Subira Kaswaga
The ruling party, CCM, yesterday ruled out any possibility for President Jakaya Kikwete will participate in a live debate with other presidential candidates in this year's General Election.
The party's deputy secretary for propaganda and publicity, Mr Richard Tambwe Hizza, said at a press briefing that President Kikwete do not need such a debate to reach out for voters.
"Our party chairman and presidential candidate is qualified and has a track record that does not require him to participate in any debate. We advise the opposition to run own shows as they are the ones who lack knowledge on running public affairs," said Mr Tambwe.
He was responding to a challenge thrown by Chadema's presidential aspirant, Dr Willibrod Slaa, on Tuesday suggesting that President Kikwete should face him in an open public debate to defend their parties' policies.
Yesterday, the Chadema director for international relations and foreign Affairs, Mr John Mnyika, described the CCM move as "cowardly" and said the party would never face anyone in public due to alleged ills it has committed.
"The rejection shows how CCM likes to conduct its politics in secrecy and away from the public. President Kikwete cannot respond to critical national issues in the open because he will be exposed," said Mr Mnyika.
In defending President Kikwete, Mr Tambwe Hiza said the CCM candidate had already given his nomination acceptance speech in public and would soon embark on a campaign trail to sell his policies to the people and not in a forum organised by the opposition.
"Dr Slaa and his group are only interested in using the President's name to sell their ideas in the pretext of a debate. They do not have a selling point and have lurched to the idea of a debate as bait," said Mr Tambwe who defected from the opposition.
According to Mr Tambwe, CCM policies were known to the majority of its members and supporters.
But Mr Mnyika dismissed Mr Hiza, saying he was not informed of the global trend on open policy debates by candidates in leadership race, including for the presidency.
"Debates are a global phenomenon today and progressive leaders anywhere have never shied such events. Those opposed could only be said to lack the confidence of their own records," the Chadema official told The Citizen, adding that during such events, the public is given time to interrogate the candidates.
"The debate between presidential aspirants is done in different countries in the world and is a sign of maturity in democracy. It is surprising that CCM fears such debates if the party is clean, serious, and confident about its policies."
Meanwhile Mr Mnyika said Dr Slaa's running mate will be known on October 12 after the party's NEC meeting which will decide on a suitable candidate. Dr Slaa is today expected to hold his first public rally at Jangwani grounds in Dar es Salaam since his nomination to run for the country's top post.
Source:Mwananchi Newspaper.