Tanzania’s governing party has picked Defence Minister, Dr. Hussein Mwinyi as Zanzibar presidential candidate in the October polls.
Mwinyi won the inter-party elections by over 78 percent, in a vote that was supervised by President John Pombe Magufuli.
Dr. Mwinyi, the son of the second President of Tanzania Ali Hassan Mwinyi, floored Mr. Shamsi Vuai Nahodha and Dr. Khalid Mohamed to win the ticket.
Mr. Vuai got 16 votes, Dr Mohamed garnered 19 votes whereas Dr. Mwinyi amassed 129 votes.
The party’s National Executive Council had earlier submitted five names for the top position pin the isles to the Central Committee and three names were thereafter considered for nominations.
In March this year, Tanzanian President John Magufuli said the country’s October 2020 general elections will be held as planned despite the COVID-19 pandemic.
“The elections will be held as planned. There are people who think that the elections will be postponed. Nobody wants to stay in office forever,” he said in an event televised live by state-run Tanzania Broadcasting Corporation.
At the beginning of this year, Magufuli assured diplomats based in the East African nation of a fair, free and peaceful October 2020 general elections.
Over 30 million Tanzanians out of a population of 55 million will vote for councilors, parliamentarians in the general elections.
Zanzibar's CCM presidential flag bearer, Dr. Hussein Ali Mwinyi, has vowed to act tough on corruption, theft and embezzlement of public resources, if elected, warning all individuals who harbor feelings that he is too polite.
Voted by the National Executive Committee (NEC) on Friday as its flag bearer for Zanzibar, Dr. Mwinyi promised to bring a sharp contrast to his well-known personality that he was a cool person, where some people doubted whether he would be able to act tough on corruption practices.
"Do not be fooled by my politeness. I will be strict and firm when it comes to deal with issues such as corruption, carelessness, and fraud; I have watched and learned a lot during the five years I have been under President John Magufuli's administration," he asserted.
Giving his stand as he addressed the ruling party's National Congress meeting at the Jakaya Kiwete Hall in Dodoma, Dr. Mwinyi reiterated that people should expect him once elected, to come up with the leadership style resembling that of the Union president when it comes to matters hindering development.
There have been rumours across the country especially in the Isles that cited Dr. Mwinyi's politeness as a weakness in the fight against rampant corruption in Zanzibar.
Noting that, Zanzibar needs a leader of President Magufuli's caliber to redress the situation currently in the Isles.
"There are speculations that I am too polite, but I have learned from you (referring to President Magufuli) that there are things that need one to be strict and firm, and I will do so without hesitation. I dare say that once I am elected I will be a good leader because of what I have learned from you," he said.
He recounted that during his political journey, he has been blessed to work under three presidents.
Acknowledging, former President Benjamin Mkapa as the one who helped him open the chapter of his political journey.
"As a young lad aged 33 years and a Member of Parliament representing Mkuranga; Former President Mkapa appointed me to be the Deputy Minister of Health and that is when my political journey officially began," he narrated.
He further thanked the fourth phase President Jakaya Kikwete, that in his ten years reign he was among his cabinet ministers. He was appointed to be the Minister of State Vice-Presidents' office (Union affairs), Minister of Health and Minister of Defense and National services.
Dr. Mwinyi further recognised Zanzibar's President Ali Mohammed Shein, noting that he has learned a lot from him and promising him that his prudence and wisdom have also rubbed off on him.