Let Bidandi stay
Nov 05, 2004
BIDANDI SSALI has resigned as Vice-Chairman of the NRM-O, although he remains a member of the Executive Committee
BIDANDI SSALI has resigned as Vice-Chairman of the NRM-O, although he remains a member of the Executive Committee.
Bidandi clashed with other Movement leaders over his open criticism of new methods of work and proposed constitutional changes.
Bidandi wanted to debate the third term but the NRM-O Executive Committee ruled that decisions taken at Kyankwanzi and the Conference Centre nearly two years ago were binding.
This is a historic turning point for the NRM.
Does it want to be a rigid vanguard party with a binding manifesto and strict leadership? Or does it want to continue in its historic role as an umbrella organisation embracing different political tendencies?
A strict political party runs the risk of being marginalised if it insists that a political position cannot be debated once it has been ruled upon. People may decide that they want to quit that party if they cannot accept that position. But arguably the party may be more dynamic if its members speak with a single voice and work towards a single goal.
An umbrella organisation like the original broad-based Movement or the African National Congress embraces many different political tendencies. The party may therefore sometimes appear shapeless but can have a very strong unifying influence in the country.
In which direction should the Movement go?
Now that Bidandi has resigned, let him remain as an active member of the Executive Committee of the NRM-O, even if he is a thorn in the flesh of some leaders.
The Movement should not surrender its historic broad-based character as it evolves towards being a conventional political party.
Bidandi clashed with other Movement leaders over his open criticism of new methods of work and proposed constitutional changes.
Bidandi wanted to debate the third term but the NRM-O Executive Committee ruled that decisions taken at Kyankwanzi and the Conference Centre nearly two years ago were binding.
This is a historic turning point for the NRM.
Does it want to be a rigid vanguard party with a binding manifesto and strict leadership? Or does it want to continue in its historic role as an umbrella organisation embracing different political tendencies?
A strict political party runs the risk of being marginalised if it insists that a political position cannot be debated once it has been ruled upon. People may decide that they want to quit that party if they cannot accept that position. But arguably the party may be more dynamic if its members speak with a single voice and work towards a single goal.
An umbrella organisation like the original broad-based Movement or the African National Congress embraces many different political tendencies. The party may therefore sometimes appear shapeless but can have a very strong unifying influence in the country.
In which direction should the Movement go?
Now that Bidandi has resigned, let him remain as an active member of the Executive Committee of the NRM-O, even if he is a thorn in the flesh of some leaders.
The Movement should not surrender its historic broad-based character as it evolves towards being a conventional political party.