Kakobe in Jangwani rally against Katiba review bill

Evangelist Zachary Kakobe of the Full Gospel Bible Fellowship 

By Mkinga Mkinga, The Citizen Reporter

Posted  Sunday, September 22   2013 at  01:00

In Summary

Archbishop Kakobe, who has raised political temperatures in his sermons now and then, was a surprise guest at Jangwani grounds in Dar es Salaam as opposition leaders sought to galvanise the public around a campaign to have President Jakaya Kikwete return the Bill to Parliament for improvement.

Dar es Salaam. Evangelist Zachary Kakobe of the Full Gospel Bible Fellowship was the icing on the cake at yesterday’s joint opposition rally here to drum up support for the rejection of the Constitution Review Act amendment Bill.

Archbishop Kakobe, who has raised political temperatures in his sermons now and then, was a surprise guest at Jangwani grounds in Dar es Salaam as opposition leaders sought to galvanise the public around a campaign to have President Jakaya Kikwete return the Bill to Parliament for improvement.

Chadema national chairman and leader of official opposition Freeman Mbowe, Civic United Front leader Ibrahim Lipumba and NCCR-Mageuzi chairman James Mbatia said the bishop and other well-meaning Tanzanians were welcome to the campaign.

Thousands of party enthusiasts mingled freely in a show of solidarity that brought together the rival parties as pressure mounted on the President not to sign the Bill that should be on his desk by now.

Archbishop Kakobe arrived at the meeting to cheers from the huge crowd. He was in the company of Ubungo MP John Mnyika.

Security teams had a tough time escorting the guests to the dais. Archbishop Kakobe said he joined the movement for the sake of the nation and advised against “lightweight politics”.

He added his voice to the chorus asking President Kikwete to reject the Bill and have it amended.

“In its current form, the Bill lacks legitimacy and should not be signed into law unless we arrive at a consensus,” said Bishop Kakobe.

No party should have more than 50 per cent say in the forthcoming Constituent Assembly, he added.

Prof Lipumba said the opposition wanted a people-centred constitution-making process. “This can only be attained through equal representation in the Constituent Assembly,” he added.

“I’m sure that even the President himself is not comfortable with what his aides have been doing. He should be wise enough and heed the people’s wish.”

Mr Mbowe reiterated that opposition MPs would not take part in any House business to do with the process unless the clauses that have been proposed are accommodated.

From October 10, the parties will hold demonstrations in all regional headquarters to up the pressure.

“The government should use the remaining 14 days to reach out to all,” Mr Mbowe said. The opposition leader warned that the country could plunge into a crisis if no action was taken.

Mr Mbatia had this to say: “My advice to President Kikwete is that we are not on good terms with other East African Community member states…this is the time to show our unity. We should speak in one voice over the constitution bill.”

SOURCE: THE CITIZEN