Lowassa: Enough is enough!

By The Citizen Correspondents Monduli. Former Prime Minister Edward Lowassa yesterday called for an end to speculations associating him with an alleged plot to undermine President Jakaya Kikwete’s administration and CCM chairmanship.Mr Lowassa who was Mr Kikwete’s choice for premier when the latter clinched the presidency in 2005, before he controversially resigned three years later, said that from now on, he would not hesitate to hit back at those he claimed were out to drive a wedge between him and the President. “It is enough! I have been tolerant long enough… I have decided that after my long silence, I will henceforth take both political and legal actions against all those behind this dirty agenda,” said Mr Lowassa at a press conference he held at his Ngarash home in Monduli District. He said he would do whatever it takes to get rid of the “bad-man” image created around him by his detractors whose motive is to ruin his reputation within the party’s rank and file as well as the society at large. Mr Lowassa who is the Monduli MP said some of the falsehoods peddled about him were mere propaganda, some of which he nevertheless termed “dangerous.” “I will not tolerate anyone out to tarnish my name and I have already consulted my lawyers and other relevant organs on the same,” he declared during the briefing, which was also attended by several Monduli CCM stalwarts. The former premier who currently chairs the Parliamentary Committee for Foreign Affairs, Defence and Security urged leaders as well as the media to shift focus to issues that were of national importance instead of giving priority to political propaganda.  “We ought to realise that the country is facing many challenges that need our attention,” he said, citing youth unemployment, the falling value of the shilling, inflation, deterioration of education standards,  among others. Mr Lowassa said he had just returned from a foreign trip that took him to Nigeria, Malaysia, Singapore, India, Britain and Germany. “From these countries, I have learnt that political leaders and the media use most of their time to address matters that concern the development of their people,” he said. In his address that was laden with emotion, Mr Lowassa also touched on several other issues that have recently dominated news headlines, particularly those of CCM infighting and the race for the 2015 presidency. He denied being behind a scheme to undermine President Kikwete, insisting that the two of them have come a long way as friends and colleagues in public service.“I reiterate that I did not meet with Kikwete on the street and I don’t know anything about my alleged  plot to strip him of his authority.” According to Mr Lowassa, he did not know of  the so-called “Kikwete’s weaknesses”. “I also believe he does not believe in the ongoing propaganda,” he said, adding that as a long-time CCM member, he understood the importance of respecting decisions made by various internal organs.  On the 2015 presidency, the Monduli MP who is being touted in various quarters as a likely candidate, however, said it would be wrong to discuss a matter that is four years away. “It is not safe for the country and our peace to interpret everything on the basis of the 2015 elections at the expense of national interest,” cautioned Mr Lowassa. Despite fielding questions from reporters, the former premier declined to talk on the ongoing debate around Richmond and Dowans emergency power generation controversy.  It was the Richmond power supply scandal in 2008 that cost Mr Lowassa the premiership, sending him to a long spell of absence from the political limelight before he was elected to chair a parliamentary committee early this year. Yesterday, he was categorical that he would not respond to questions on the current drive within CCM to purge some of its members allegedly linked to corruption, or those whose alleged conduct has tainted the party’s public image. “It is not the right time today and I will only respond to them when it is appropriate,” said Mr Lowassa.  Even though it is never said in so many words publicly, the Monduli MP is widely perceived as among individuals that CCM requested to resign from sensitive leadership positions. Others are Bariadi West MP Mr Andrew Chenge and former Igunga MP Mr Rostam Aziz who in July announced he was quitting politics and forfeiting all his positions in CCM.