A presidential aspirant on the Chama Cha Mapinduzi (CCM) ticket, Jakaya Kikwete, has returned nomination forms after getting the mandatory 250 guarantors in at least ten regions.
Kikwete handed over the forms to the acting CCM secretary-general, Matson Chizzi, at the ruling party’s headquarters in Dodoma yesterday after collecting the signatures of 10,035 CCM supporters.
CCM presidential aspirants are required to have 250 guarantors from at least ten regions, including two in Zanzibar.
Speaking shortly after handing over the forms, Kikwete, who is the Minister for Foreign Affairs and International Co-operation, thanked all those who supported him in his bid for nomination.
April 15, is the last day for CCM presidential aspirants to return nomination forms.
Kikwete is the second aspirant to return the forms, after the party’s vice-chairman, John Malecela.
In Zanzibar, another presidential aspirant on the party’s ticket, Magalle John Shibuda, exuded confidence yesterday, saying he was looking forward to sailing through during the party’s nomination process.
Speaking to CCM members and supporters in Urban West Region, Shibuda said he prays daily to God to enable him make the cut during the national congress in April.
He said he was confident he would win in the presidential race if the party nominated him.
Meanwhile, in Musoma, Frederick Sumaye said yesterday that the graft allegations being levelled against him were intended to deter him from running for the presidency.
The CCM presidential nomination contestant made the remarks when he addressed CCM members who turned up to endorse him yesterday.
He told them that since he had been the Prime Minister for ten years, he was capable of leading the nation.
Sumaye said even opposition parties were aware that CCM would post a landslide victory in the October general election if the party nominated him as its candidate.
