It has almost been two years of a whirlwind political journey for former Arusha Regional Commissioner (RC), Mr Paul Makonda, who has just bagged CCM’s node along with six others to contest the Arusha Urban parliamentary seat in the October polls, that saw incumbent Mrisho Gambo ejected in the ruling party’s sifting process.
Mr Makonda, a seasoned leader, returned to the political scene in Arusha last year after a period of inactivity. He had previously resigned as Dar es Salaam Regional Commissioner in 2020 to vie for the Kigamboni parliamentary seat, a race he lost in the primaries, leaving him temporarily out of office. His subsequent appointment as RC for Arusha – an opposition stronghold – was viewed by some as a strategic move.
In the highly contested Arusha Urban Constituency, the other approved candidates are: Ally Said Babu, Hussein Omarhajji Gonga, Aminatha Salash Toure, Mustapha Said Nassoro, Lwembo Mkwavi Mghweno and Jasper Augustino Kishumbua.
The shortlisted candidates by the CCM Central Committee (CC) of the National Executive Committee (NEC) shall now contest in constituency primary level, with one name sent back to the CC for official nomination as the party’s flag bearer in the October multi-party elections. So far it looks quiet from other parties. CCM though, reserves the right to nominate any other name from the shortlisted aspirants regardless of ranking in primaries.
Mr Gambo had been strongly tipped to contest a second term and probably banish Arusha Urban’s taboo for an MP to serve two terms. Since the reintroduction of multi-party politics three decades ago, every other MP had served for one term only. The constituency briefly fell to opposition MP, Makongoro Nyerere, the son of Father of the Nation, Mwalimu Julius Nyerere. However, he was ousted after two years through a court petition, making the then MP, Felix Mrema, the only person who served for at least eight years.
For Arumeru West, aspirants include Dr Johanes Lembungi Lukumay, Noah Lembursi Saputu Mollel (incumbent), Noel Emmanuel Severe, Esther Zakayo Mollel, Henrietta Erasto Temu and Lt. Col. Joel Meidimi (Rtd). In Karatu, the list features Cecilia Daniel Paresso, Daniel Awack Tlemai (incumbent), Pantaleo Victor Paresso, Patrice Chele Matty and Shedrack Sebatian Qamna.
Contesting in Longido will be Steven Lemomo Kirusu (incumbent), Petro Oltukai Ngarinoki, Nicholas Ntasoi Senetu and Matha Lakitonyi Ntiopo. In Monduli East, approved names are Joshua Samuel Nassari, John Danielson Pallangyo (incumbent), Johnson Exaud Sarakikya, Elisa Daniel Mbise, Prof Daniel Mrisho Pallangyo, Rose Parmena Urio, William Ndoye Sarakikya and Angella Ronald Pallangyo.
For Monduli, the aspirants include the incumbent, Fredrick Edward Lowassa (son of the late Prime Minister, Edward Lowassa), Wilson Lengima Kurambe, Isack Joseph Copriano, Sakaya Kabuti Alasheri, Nuru Adam and Bilhuda Hussein Kisaka. From Ngorongoro the aspirants are Prof Kokel Letia Melumbo, Elizabeth Sinodya Gibaseya, Yannick Ikayo Ndiyo, Marx Simon Kamaoni, Rose Ormoriyo Njilo and Sylvanus Mizengo Ole Pinda. Incumbent Emmanuel Ole Shangai has been dropped.
CCM primaries shall be held on August 4, 2025. The names of aspirants, according to their ranking by party delegates, shall then be submitted to the CC for final endorsement.
