MP Ackimu Mwanza dumps PP: To stand on independent ticket
People’s Party (PP) Member of Parliament for Mzimba Solola, Ackimu Mwanza, has quit the ruling party for what he alleges as lack of democracy.
The parliamentarian has since announced that he would contest the May 20 Tripartite elections as an independent candidate for the constituency.
”I have quit as a member of People’s Party with immediate effect and will now contest the parliamentary seat as an independent candidate,” Mwanza made the announcement at his residence in Mzimba over the weekend.
He said he was disappointed with the manner the People’s Party handled the primary elections which saw Suzgolane Kazomba Nyirenda being declared the torchbearer for the constituency.
According to Mwanza, the party imposed Kazomba Nyirenda when he actually came third during the polls.
Mwanza claimed he won the primaries but was shocked to learn that the party endorsed Nyirenda as a winner.
”How can the regional and national executive committees endorse somebody who came third as a winner?” queried Mwanza.
He said he was optimistic he would sail through during the May 20 polls as he has the backing of the constituents and the chiefs.
A total of 73 chiefs that included village and group village headmen graced the meeting which was attended 165 people from 12 zones who have also quit the PP and pledged their support to Mwanza.