Mutharika says DPP to rule Malawi again in 2014
Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) will bounce back to power next year through the ballot, the party’s president Peter Mutharika, seeking mandate at the convention underway at the Comesa Hall in Malawi’s commercial city of Blantyre has said.
Mutharika said when he officially opened the convention, the ceremony which was attended by diplomats, media and representatives of other political parties including ruling PP and opposition UDF.
“I and my colleagues are determined to take DPP back into government. But we need to be united,” he said.
He said many people had written DPP off soon after his brother’s death, but its ability to stand the test of time has proved critics wrongs.
“While the confusion of transition took its turn, there were many who thought the DPP would face a Tsunami. There are some who thought DPP would die. There are those who thought life was better the other side. The party did not die. The defections did not shake us,” Mutharika said while commanding a deafening applause.
Mutharika, who has been at the helm since the death of his brother and founding father of the party, Bingu wa Mutharika on 5th April 2012, said it was the party’s vision, principles and dreams that bind it together even after many defected to current ruling people’s Party headed by President Joyce Banda, adding those who have true spirit of political integrity cannot be lured by anything to leave the party.
He preached peace and love among the DPP family, saying there is no need for petty jealousy.
Mutharika sounding jovial apologised that the convention – the first since the party was founded in 2005 by late President Bingu wa Mutharika – was supposed to take place in November in 2012 but due to other reasons they postponed.
He described DPP as “a democratic and fair” party regardless of what critics say and urged those who will lose seats not to leave the party.
Mutharika said he will make sure that DPP will take back the government in 2014.
“The convention will determine the future of DPP and the future of Malawi; and we are determined to win back the government that was taken from us through death, we are getting it back in 2014,” he said.
The party is holding the convention under the theme “Finding our Destiny.”
Chairman of the convention main organising committee Nicholas Dausi said during the convention the party will discuss its manifesto and constitution.
According to the convention programme, all 18 national party positions will be contested for and results are due at the end of polling today (Thursday).
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