Another PP NEC member quits: To stand as independent
It never rains but pours for Malawi’s ruling People’s Party (PP) ahead of May 20 Tripartite Elections as it continues losing its senior members day in day out due to internal misunderstandings.
The latest to quit the party is a member of the National Executive Committee (NEC) and former Mzuzu City legislator, Good Kayira.
Kayira has since presented his nomination papers to stand as an independent Member of Parliament (MP) for the city.
The former MP told Nyasa Times he felt betrayed by the party’s Treasurer General, Harry Mkandawire and the Provincial Secretary for the North, Mary Mphasi.
Kayira wanted to stand as councilor for Jombo ward on PP ticket following the withdrawal of Khumbo Malopa Gondwe who won the PP primary elections but later retracted as he was reportedly going for further studies abroad.
“The party asked me to stand as PP councilor for Jombo ward, I was accepted and the Provincial Secretary [Mary Mphasi] gave me the forms to sign and then submit to the Malawi Electoral Commission [MEC].
“But a day before MEC closed receiving of the nomination papers I was summoned by Hon Mkandawire and Mrs Malopa Gondwe [mother to Khumbo] where I was told that Khumbo had rescinded his decision and would stand as councilor for the ward. Since I was just appointed I could not argue but I felt deeply betrayed by the two party officials. I realised that they just wanted to flush me out from the party,” he said angrily.
“These people [referring to Mkandawire and Mphasi] and other PP officials are just harbouring personal vendetta after I floored them in 2004… I was among the first to join People’s Party but now I am been victimized.”
Kayira claimed people of Mzuzu have asked him to stand as an independent candidate because of the visible development he brought to the city during his term of office.
He was elected MP in 2004 but lost to the incumbent, Prof Peter Mwanza, who has since announced that he will stand as councilor on May 20, during the 2009 general elections.
Kayira cited Msongwe clinic, Masasa clinic, Zolozolo Community Day Secondary School and other primary schools as some of his initiatives.
But prior to his announcement, Kayira wanted to stand on People’s Progressive Movement (PPM) ticket before changing his tune at the eleventh hour.
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