Dodoma — CCM Union presidential candidate John Pombe Magufuli was on
Sunday afternoon introduced to Dodoma residents, immediately sounding a
strong warning against irresponsible and corrupt public servants should
he clinch the top post of the land in the general elections in October.
"To all irresponsible leaders, thieves and corrupt officials; please
be informed that I will deal with you in a very polite way," Dr Magufuli
announced, sparking deafening applause from thousands of people who
flocked the Jamhuri Stadium here to have a glance of the ruling party's
candidate and his running mate, Ms Samia Suluhu Hassan.
The official introduction of the party's flag bearers was officiated
by President Jakaya Kikwete, who described Dr Magufuli as "a no-nonsense
man who would successfully move the country to the next stage".
"You have been claiming that I am so polite; so we are now giving you
a very aggressive candidate. He is the right candidate for us," the
party's National chairman said.
The CCM National Congress had earlier voted for Dr Magufuli, giving him a landslide victory for the presidential candidacy.
Earlier announcing the results, the Speaker of the National Assembly,
Ms Anne Makinda, told delegates that Dr Magufuli carried the day after
garnering 2,104 votes, equivalent to 87.1 per cent to beat his
challengers -- Ambassador Amina Salum Ali who got 253 votes (10.5 per
cent) and Dr Asha-Rose Migiro who polled 59 votes (2.4 per cent).
The total votes cast were 2,422 while six were spoiled. Dr Migiro and
Ambassador Ali were both graceful in defeat and both pledged their full
commitment and support to Dr Magufuli.
Ms Makinda and the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Pandu
Ameir Kificho, oversaw the vote counting process. Upon the Speaker's
announcement of the winner, the venue erupted into song and dance as
delegates flocked to the stage to congratulate Dr Magufuli.
His wife, Janeth, could not control her emotions as tears were seen
rolling down her cheeks. Dr Magufuli went through three hurdles -- first
the Central Committee, which trimmed the candidates from 38 to five and
then the National Executive Committee, which whittled down the number
to three and onwards to the national congress, which picked his name.
Before the announcement of the presidential candidate, both the Union
and Zanzibar governments gave their implementation reports in which
they highlighted their successes in economy, politics and social aspects
that had been recorded in the past decade in line with the party
election manifesto.
Dr Magufuli declared that under his leadership, he would make sure
that all people worked diligently for the country's development,
insisting that "those unwilling to work won't eat".
"Trust me; I am not going to let you down... trust me I will not fail
you. I am only asking one thing from you... make sure you turn out in
large numbers and vote in favour of CCM," the outspoken Works Minister
said.
