The Opposition Paradox
There is an old adage that says that "Those who oppose, propose". This is to say that it is not enough to merely be against something but rather you must go farther to propose a better more practical way of doing things. Unfortunately the opposition in Tanzania have become opposers of everything and proposers of nothing.
The opposition enjoyed a political dance during the 4th phase government where they would make noice and the government would invite them to the table for a sit down. The merry-go-round went on for ten years. How did they repay the then president who they now praise as democratic? They called him weak. And what do they call the current president who has refused to partake in this ridiculous exercise in futility? They call him a dictator.
Now I do understand that it is the oppositions' constitutional right to say and do as they please as long as they break no laws. However it has reached a stage where the opposition is opposing themselves and this to some of us who have been keen observers of politics for a while makes as doubt their motives and indeed their convictions.
What do I mean when I say the opposition is opposing itself? It is because they are now deliberately and purposely going against their own words from not to long ago (2010-2015). Allow me to highlight 8 examples from prominent opposition leaders.
1. "Tunataka Raisi ambae hata angalia sura ya mtu (John Mnyika 2012 akiwa Kilombero, Morogoro).
Translation: We want a President who won't shy off taking action against certain individuals.
The reality is that President Magufuli has not shied away from taking actions against anyone, including senior government officials and his own political appointees. In 2017, the president removed 9932 civil servants who were found to have forged academic and professional certifications. Earlier this year, President Magufuli removed Minister of Home Affairs Kange Lugola for not following proper government procedures. Kangi Lugola was also once a student of President Magufuli. The opposition complained about the President firing too many government officials with fake certificates.
2. Tunataka Raisi mkali asiye cheka cheka na mtu (Peter Msigwa akihutubia Mbeya).
Translation: We need a President who will not laugh with anybody.
It is not uncommon for President Magufuli to take immediate actions against his appointed officials while on working tours. On July 30 he removed the District Commissioner of Rufiji Mr. Juma Njwayo after passing by Rufiji on his way from Mtwara. Mr. Njwayo failed to produce satisfactory answers to the problems of his district. Now the opposition complain that the President fires too many officials on a whim.
3. Tunataka Raisi asie safiri safiri nje (Freeman Mbowe akiwa kanda ya Ziwa, 2013).
Translation: We need a President who does not make frequent trips abroad.
President Magufuli has made a total of 8 trips outside of Tanzania, two trips to Uganda and one trip each to Ethiopia, Kenya, Namibia, Rwanda, South Africa and Zimbabwe. Now the opposition are complaining that the President does not travel enough abroad and hence somehow our diplomatic standing in the world is damaged because of the President's lack of travel.
4. Nchi hii inahitaji Raisi dikteta na si vinginevyo (Tundu Lissu akiwa Dar).
Translation: The country needs a President who is a dictator and nothing else.
This is the most ironic statement of them all because it is the same Tundu Lissu who has now accused President Magufuli of being a dictator wannabe time and time again. Apparently he now no longer feels the country needs a "dictator".
5. Tunataka Raisi atakae kua anakusanya kodi (Freeman Mbowe akiwa Tandahimba).
Translation: We want a President who will collect revenues.
In the year 2014/2015, the last fiscal year before Magufuli entered office, the government collected a total of TZS 4,160,107,400,000. In the year 2019/2020 it was TZS 6,580,464,400,000. The opposition now complains that the government's revenue collection methods are too aggresive.
6. Tutataka Raisi ambaye atarudisha nidhamu serikalini (Godbless Lema Mbeya).
Translation: We need a President who will return discipline in government.
On 7th November, just a few days after President Magufuli was swon in he banned all unnecessary foreign travel and that all travels outside of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs would have to be preapproved. Service in different government offices and agencies has become faster and more reliable.
7. Nchi hii inataka Raisi atakaye wafunga jela mafisadi (Heche, Tarime).
Translation: This country needs a President who will jail corrupt officials. In 2006 Mahakama ya Mafisadi was inaugurated as the new court was task with dealing with cases of graft and grand corruption. The opposition has opposed the court all throughout suggesting that the court is too slow to act and has not jailed enough people.
8. Tunataka Raisi atakaelinda Maliasili zetu (Peter Msigwa, 2014 Bungeni)
Translation: We want a President who will protect our natural resources.
In 2017 President Magufuli challenged the contracts between the government and multinational miners in the country, pressing them to sign a new deal under new conditions with the Tanzanian government. This was popularly known as Makinikia. The opposition was against Makininia which was a right step towards rectifying past evils.
Thomas Joel Kibwana
