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Opposition leaders accused of selfishness
2007-01-04 10:01:11
By Judica Tarimo
Top political opposition mandarins in the country have been accused of violating party constitutions, wrecking internal democracy and fostering disintegration of opposition parties.
“Most of these leaders are selfish, who are pushing hard to protect their individual gains rather than party or national interests,” said former Tanzania Labour Party (TLP) Secretary General, Hamad Tao yesterday.
In an exclusive interview with The Guardian, Tao said top opposition leaders violate party constitutions and laid down principles, rules and regulations to protect their personal interests.
Tao said top opposition leaders had been striving day and night to maintain their positions. In the process, he regretted, youthful leadership was blocked from taking the reigns of power.
Tao lamented that the leaders were denying youths from attaining positions of leadership in the country’s political realm.
Opposition leaders, according to Tao, do not respect rules, regulations, and procedures and even the constitutions, an important document, which guide operations of the party.
“True democracy is not practiced in these parties. Top leaders are the ones who destroy democracy and good governance. They are good at fighting for the national democracy, but internal party democratic institutions are worse,” he lamented.
The official took a swipe at the top opposition leaders for clamouring for respect for democratic tenets at the national level when they kill the same at party level.
“It’s senseless to strive for the country’s democracy and fail to protect democracy and good governance in your own parties. Charity must begin at home,” said Tao.
“These problems also accelerate off-and-on political squabbles within the opposition parties, and the country as a whole,” said Tao.
“We (opposition parties) cannot win in elections if we do not adopt concerted efforts to improve internal democracy, good governance and rule of law. This helps to build public trust and confidence,” he observed.
He called for opposition leaders to shun selfishness and protection of their personal gains and instead open doors for members to exercise their democratic rights at all levels.
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