Maulidi claims backing from PP brass against JB 

Former ruling People’s Party (PP) acting Secretary General, Paul Maulidi said the decision the party’s leadership made to pull out of the forthcoming By-elections was made without a blessing of the national executive committee.

PP president Joyce Banda earlier this month ordered the party to pull out of the elections set for next month after the losing confidence in the Malawi Electoral Commission (Mec).

Maulidi, who obtained Stay Order from the Supreme Court to commence judicial review proceedings on Banda’s decision aside from demanding compensation, told Nyasa Times in an exclusive interview several top party officials are against Banda’s decision.

“Some of officials in the party are not happy with the decision because it was personal; it was made without knowledge of the executive committee. And there are so many people who are on my side,” argued Maulidi.

Maulidi challenged that he remains PP executive member and that was still using the party structures in his campaign for the Blantyre North constituency by-elections, adding some officials including one of the party’s vice-presidents, Uladi Mussa have been supporting him.

Uladi Mussa popularly known as ‘change goal’ glaced Maulidi’s campaign rally on Sunday in the constituency with the parliamentary candidate challenging “I am still PP member and the decision they made was a breach of my Constitutional rights.”

Maulidi added: “The decision to pull out of the by-election is disenfranchising the party supporters, especially those who us as candidates. I am standing on PP ticket and am doing so for the interest of the people in my constituency.”

He said the decision to sue Banda for K27 million wouldn’t fracture his relationship with the party’s leadership, arguing “I never intended to ask for that money but they have to compensate me for what I spent during primaries and campaign period before May elections.” 

Meanwhile, PP’s Deputy Director of Political Affairs , Levy Luwemba has come out openly  backing Maulidi and condemning the party decision not to contest during the forth coming October 7 bye elections.

Luwemba said the decision by the PP leadership was emotional and not relevant with the current global politics.

He said during the earlier meetings, which the party had, it  was agreed that the party should field candidates in all the wards and constituencies where the by elections would take place.

Publicity Secretary, Ken Msonda refused to comment on the issue saying “PP respects democratic institutions, we respect our judicial systems. Mr. Maulidi sued the party and its leadership; obtained a court injunction against the party founder and president and the party on the by-elections issue. We cannot therefore comment on matters that are in court.”

Recently, Msonda described Maulidi as confused, desperate and frustrated person by going against the party’s position.—(Additional reporting by Alfred Chauwa, Nyasa Times)