Former President, Dr Goodluck Ebele Jonathan who is leading the 54-member nations of the Commonwealth as part of the international observers monitoring the Tanzanian general election scheduled for October 25 is billed to leave the country today (Monday) for Dar es Salaam.
Reports indicate that Jonathan is walking into the warm embrace of many Tanzanians who are upbeat and confident that his presence wouldbring credibility to the polls which analysts consider the toughestand closest elections in the country’s history.
The ruling Chama Cha Mapinduzi (CCM) party which has been in power since the country’s return to multiparty democracy in 1992 is up against a united opposition that has increasingly been making significant electoral gains.
As Tanzanians prepare to vote in either side, they are happy that high profile observers including President Jonathan, who they consider as‘a hero of free and fair election in Africa’, would be on ground to monitor the elections.
They are hoping that their presence would ensure a transparent and peaceful election process.
Paying tribute to Jonathan in a recent editorial ahead of theelections, The Daily News of Tanzania commended the former President for taking his defeat in the last Presidential elections “in all magnanimity”, adding that “Jonathan may very well have averted bloodshed that is characteristic of incumbent leaders who cling to power tooth and nail, fang and claw! What lesson is there in this for us in Tanzania, pray?”
In the editorial entitled ‘Salutary lessons for Tanzania from Nigeria’s latest elections; the paper said further: “It is generally admitted that the election in Nigeria was unprecedentedly free, fair and transparent, whereby the opposition candidate, Muhammadu Buhari, won the Presidency.. What is more remarkable is that the incumbent president who sought re-election, Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, … most graciously accepted the results promptly!”
