NYALANDU JOINS PRESIDENTIAL RACE

Singida North MP Lazaro Nyalandu greets supporters after addressing a public rally in the constituency yesterday.  Mr Nyalandu, who is also Natural Resources and Tourism minister, said he would seek nomination as CCM’s presidential candidate in the 2015 General Election.  PHOTO | GASPER ANDREW 

By Gasper Andrew,The Citizen Correspondent

Singida.  Natural Resources and Tourism minister Lazaro Nyalandu yesterday declared his intention to seek the presidency next year.

Addressing a public rally at Ilongero Village in his Singida North Constituency, Mr Nyalandu said he would seek nomination as CCM’s candidate for the top job in the 2015 General Election.

He said he has decided to throw his hat in the ring after concluding that he had what it takes to succeed President Jakaya Kikwete when he completes his second and final term next year.

“I have had time to reflect on my performance and implementation of the CCM election manifesto in the 15 years I have been the Singida North MP.  During that time, I have spent over Sh2 billion on projects in various sectors, including health, water and infrastructure,” Mr Nyalandu said, and challenged others who have declared their interest in the presidency to tell Tanzanians what they had done for them.

“All of us who have declared our intention to seek the presidency should tell Tanzanians what we have done to change their lives for the better and let them decide who among us will take them to the next level.”

The minister’s father, Mr Samuel Nyalandu, said he had accepted his son’s decision and assured him of his full support, adding that the younger Nyalandu had the required attributes to succeed in the highest office in the land. He told Mr Nyalandu to put Tanzanians first if he was elected Tanzania’s fifth president.

“You should listen to the people and solve their problems troubling them.  You should always put the people first,” he said.

Mr Nyalandu joins a growing list of prominent CCM members who have either publicly declared their candidacy for nomination or who are being mentioned as potential candidates in next year’s presidential election.

They include Prime Minister Mizengo Pinda and former prime ministers Edward Lowassa and Frederick Sumaye.  Others are Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation minister Bernard Membe, Minister of State in the President’s Office (Social Relations and Coordination) Stephen Wasira and Nzega MP Hamisi Kigwangalla.

The main opposition parties Chadema, CUF and NCCR-Mageuzi have discovered newfound unity under the Coalition of the Defenders of the People’s Constitution, popularly known by its Kiswahili acronym Ukawa, but have yet to decide whether they will field one candidate to take on CCM’s choice.

Six opposition candidates took on CCM’s Jakaya Kikwete in the 2010 General Election.   They were Mr Willibrod Slaa (Chadema), Prof Ibrahim Lipumba (CUF), Mr Kuga Mziray (APPT-Maendeleo), Mr Hashim Rungwe (NCCR-Mageuzi), Mr Muttamwega Mgaywa (TLP) and Fahmi Dovutwa (UPDP).

CREDIT SOURCE: THE CITIZEN