CCM dismisses reports of Kikwete-Magufuli power struggle

CHAMA Cha Mapinduzi (CCM) has sought to dismiss reports suggesting that there is a looming power struggle between former president Jakaya Kikwete and his successor, President John Magufuli, over the control of the ruling party
CCM insisted that Kikwete will officially hand over the leadership of CCM to President Magufuli at the party's national congress scheduled for next month.
According to party insiders, an unwritten rule requires Kikwete to voluntarily relinquish the CCM chairmanship to Magufuli since the president has traditionally also occupied the position of party leader.
But some reports claimed that the ex-president had deliberately decided to delay his exit from the party leadership, amid suggestions that some CCM members were pushing for a rebellion against Magufuli.
There is concern among some CCM leaders that Magufuli might extend his ongoing purge against corruption and inefficiency in government to the ruling party.
"There are some media reports suggesting that the party chairman (Kikwete) has refused to step down or is delaying his exit. These reports are false," CCM spokesman Christopher Ole Sendeka said in a statement.
"On the contrary, Kikwete has been insisting on handing over the leadership of the party to (Maguguli) as soon as possible."
It was alleged that Kikwete reportedly decided to delay his exit from the party "to protect himself from any possible fallout of Magufuli's ongoing anti-graft crusade."
Sendeka said the planned CCM national congress meeting in June was on track and that the ruling party was currently looking for funding to stage the meeting.
President Magufuli has previously publicly criticised the performance of then previous government and launched a campaign to tackle corruption, tax evasion and government efficieny.
Magufuli has already dismissed several high profile civil servants who were appointed by Kikwete to serve in his government.
Prominent figures who lost their jobs as a result of Magufuli's purge include the former director general of the Prevention and Combating of Corruption Bureau (PCCB) and the former director general of the Tanzania Ports Authority (TPA).
The former director general of the National Social Security (Fund), Dr Ramadhan Dau, and the executive director of the Tanzania Investment Centre (TIC) are also among the list of sacked officials.
Kikwete and Magufuli have markedly different leadership styles. While the former president has a laid back approach, Magufuli has been all-action since taking office in line with his nickname - "The Bulldozer."
Magufuli spent most of his past 20 years in government as a cabinet ministers and did not feature in any prominent CCM leadership positions.
Some analysts said the president's work is cut out for him when he takes over the leadership of the party next month.
CCM has been struggling with its own problems, with critics accusing the ruling party of being corruption ridden and complacent.
There were literary dozens of allegations of widespread vote buying and political corruption during internal leadership election primaries within CCM during the 2015 general election.
It remains to be seen what steps Magufuli would take to clean up and reform Tanzania's oldest and biggest political party when he takes over the CCM chairmanship next month.