DPP drafts bill for House to elect leader of opposition
Reports stemming from impeccable sources within the party indicate that the bill is aimed at allowing all the law makers both in government and the opposition to take part in the voting process of choosing the leader of opposition.
Tembo: Not automatic leader of opposition
While the governing Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) has been going out and about assuring Malawians over its intentions not to abuse its majority numbers in parliament, the Nyasa Times understands that the party has already drafted a controversial bill to be tabled during the fourth coming budget sitting.
According to Standing Orders of Parliament leader of the largest opposition party automatically assumes the status of the leader of opposition.
This put Malawi Congress Party (MCP) leader John Tembo in a well position to lead the opposition in the August House after his party came second with 26 seats from a previous 66.
However, the ruling DPP, with fresh memories of how it used to dance to the tune of Tembo led opposition for the past five years, is not taking chances and according to our sources it intends to use its majority to influence the election of a new leader of opposition.
The source says the DPP has drafted the bill deliberately in order to block Tembo from becoming the leader of opposition a development that has already brought fears and anxiety among within the rank and file of MCP as well as various political analysts.
DPP is reportedly poised to hit Tembo further under the belt by replacing him with either his newly found sworn critic Ishmael Chafukira or youthful Willard Gwengwe.
“The idea to draft the bill is aimed at making Hon. Tembo pay for the sins he committed during the past five years. This is the man who nearly brought the DPP government down to its knees and we’ve decided to hit back by wrestling him the powerful position of leader of opposition.
“He will either be replaced by Hon. Chafukira or Gwengwe,” said a senior member of DPP’s National Governing Council who is also a former cabinet minister.
When contacted MCP deputy publicist Nancy Tembo said she got wind of the DPP’s intentions but was quick to point out that she is yet to confirm if at all it is true.
“I heard about that but I’m not certain whether it is true or not until I find out that’s when as a party we’re going to react, but if at all it is true then that’s very unfortunate and undemocratic,” said Tembo who is a daughter-in-law of the MCP leader.
Efforts to talk to DPP secretary general Henry Chimunthu Banda and publicity secretary Dr. Hetherwick Ntaba proved unsuccessful as they were reportedly attending a party caucus at the state house.
But our source said the bill which got blessings from President Bingu wa Mutharika was drafted by the governing party’s director of constitutional affairs Henry Duncan Phoya who did not pick up his mobile phone after several attempts.
The development comes amid pressure from some MCP MPs led by Chafukira and other independents who have been baying for Tembo’s blood.
Meanwhile, a political analyst at the Chancellor College was quoted in the Nation on Sunday as saying removing Tembo from the position of Leader of Opposition would weaken further the already fragile opposition which lost its numerical supremacy during the just ended polls after the DPP got 114 legislators against the opposition combined 44.
“There is need for somebody with experience and knowledge on the operations of parliament. Yes, people might think of new blood but old soldiers never, in my view Tembo is still an asset and would still be the right person to lead the opposition,” Hussein was quoted as saying.
He therefore warned the DPP that daring to remove Tembo as the leader of opposition would work to the disadvantage of the DPP as this would attract protests from various civil society groups.
Tagged with: DPP, leader of opposition, MCP, parliament, Tembo
what we used to say that if we give this DPP government the majority they are going to destroy our acquired democracy, signs are already approaching, if they tried to do undemocratic things when they were in minority whatabout now they are in majority, watch out malawians, if we don’t cut the horns the bull when its young , what about if it grows!!!!!
I remember inthe 80’s in Zimbabwe poeple used to praise Mugabe, and there where poeple who warned the nation that the bull which was in front wasn’t the write one, poeple like J. Nkomo. Look what has become of ZIM.
why all parties should be involved in electing leader of opposition,what about leader of the house,leader of government business?.selfish at play,dictatorship is taking its cause
Yes, Yes, this a wonderful opportunity for the MCP to revamp itself by having a leader who can be groomed at this time thru that leader of opposition. Tembo has failed in that role, he is not the future of MCP, young blood cannot be exposed if we comtinue talking about experience all the time (How long is this experience?). Moreover, are there no poeple in MCP who can now be trusted with leadership in MCP? What if Tembo drpos dead today, will there be noone to succeed? Really? AAaaa, aaaaa mwatani kodi? Who said the leader of opposition nominations/proceedures were set in stone, that they cannot be altered? How did Tembo grab that position when Gwanda was MCP president? Sanamupanga chipongwe Gwanda? Mwayiwala?
Late Chihana was right ”A Malawi mmayiwala msanga”. Live by the sword Tembo, expect to die by it! Tembo on the exit door, simple.
And those advocating tribalism, regionalism do not deserve the dignity of any more response. They live in the past. Sorry. Bingu is state president, no matter where he comes from. I come from North and so proud to have Bingu for my president, thats what matters. He is doing a good job for my country, it does not matter his tribe, accent, region. Nothing. A Davie ndi anzanu wolepherawo zakukanikani kale. You are failures!
amalawi anzanga,chonde ndithandizeni.kodi when does one acquire the title of political analyst/scientist?because he shares an office with one?a hussein munanawo ine ndiwadziwa kwenkwene poti odandiphunzitsako ku zomba.iwowa ali ndi BA ya human resource management,masters ya zomwenzoso…kodi mmesa iwoowo pena okadakhala “human resource analyst”?
Tembo must comfess his sins first for him to be forgiven for the sins against humanity he commited between 2004 and 2009 to Jesus Matiki on behalf of the Malawi nation but if he doest comfess then he should indeed be replaced. this puludzu has deplaced and we can offer him for free to any country that needs people who are not focused and comfusionists. bravo DPP. The Bible says we should not judge for we will also be judged and we should do to others as we would want them do to us so obaba invited this trouble and this cup should not pass him but he should drink from it. Tembo should go to a Theology school to pass time as he has nothing to offer to the country. i rest my case
what we want is development. whether ife atumbuka we are not chosen as running mates, we dont care as far as we are given the needs and necessities. Did Bingu tarmaced the ntchisi road because Malewezi was his running mate? or did Muluzi not tarmaced the same road because Malewezi was not his running mate? think wisely!!
I am concerned about those advocating tribalism, regionalism like Davie does.If Davie is educated, surely it is by serious mistake. Possibly, he is some one who thinks so little and not able to see beyond his nose. The world is changing for good, no returning back.let me remind such people (people of the past), in 1994 they thought people from the north voted for late Chihana because was from there, in 1999 Chakwamba got historic votes from north and they were saying it was because of the MCP/AFORD allance and in 2004 Chakwamba still got historic votes when late Chihana was with UDF and what was the analysis? Now Bingu has enjoyed that prevelege from the north like all other regions -though north has been rated number one on presidential vote numbers. Can someone really be so dull to notice the change. People from the north go for trueth and only trueth will one day set them free. Bingu delivers, it may not as people expect per region but we are able to see at national level. Hence the huge support, let him deliver. Surely people like Davie do not deserve the dignity of any more response. They live in the past. Sorry. Bingu is state president, no matter where he comes from. I come from North and so proud to have Bingu for my president, thats what matters. He is doing a good job for my country, it does not matter his tribe, accent, region. But a good Malwian he is.
As for leader of opposition in parliament, I think Malawi is taking democracy at a higher level indeed. So democratic that even the leader of opposition in parliament should not just be hand picked but voted for by the August House -though from the opposition side and this is a key phrase. What is long to have a leader of opposition chosen in parliament by all MPs? This would really show true democracy to the world. Remember, Mr Tembo manuvored the removal of Mr Gwanda Chakwamba as leader of opposition with the back up of UDF as governing party then. The reason was to have someone favoured by the majority of opposition MPs, let it be so now. ANA APONDEREZEDWA MOKWANA AWA -Chafukira, wusafowoke, you are able but don’t ever abuse the prevelege, instead be wise.
TIYIWALE ZA MA DELA KOMA TITENGE MALAWI NGATI DZIKO LATHU LOKOMA. OLIKOMESA NDIFE MONGA TAPANGIRAMU.
STOP OLD CHIP POLITICS OF HATRED. LET A GOOD CANDIDATE BE THE CHOSEN ONE ALWAYS FOR OUR DEAR MALAWI IN ALL SECTORS!!!!!!!!!!
…laws that are made with an intention of reaching a particular individual are bad laws…in a full constitutional democracy such laws should be checked by the courts. The Malawian democracy has moved beyond the age of legal positivism and parliamentary sovereignty.
..it will be nosensical and abuse of power if such a bill is tabled in the next sitting of parliament, passed and implemented without the courts testing it.
…let the leader of opposition be elected in the same way it has been over the past 3 parliaments. After all, it is entirely to the opposition to elect its leader in the house.
..if such a thing is allowed to happen and the courts do not question or review or better still reverse it, then Malawi will be on course to abysm. Today would be Tembo (with his alleged bloody hands), tomorrow would be another person, who may be wholly innocent.
..let us protect this democracy that was attained with blood!
..about Achewa, Tumbuka, ndi mitundu ina issue etc…it just shows that Malawi needs to heal itself from the bleeding wounds of tribalism. When one points at tribalistic elements taking place in the society he or she gets all sorts of names. So everbody should remain silent and watch as tribalistic governance is being promoted and implemented in broad day light in Malawi?
Honestly speaking, who would not complain if all the government was from one district or better still one village?
It is not enough just to stay saying such things is tribalism, it is even more important for everybody to see that tribalism is being fought against in words and deeds.
Calling each other mbuzi, uncivilised and such offensive words is not really health to this debate.
The self-declared civilised and anthu (opposite ya mbuzi mwina nditero), put across your civilised and anti-mbuzi views for the enlightment of the mbuzi and uncivilised. This is the way the Greeks (the Anthenias to be precise) invented democracy, they discussed and disagreed for centuries before they settled for democracy as a form of government.
No problem.It is one way removing his autocratic spirit in him.
Let hime be brought to his knees simply should resign before too late.It will be an honourable thing for hime to go before is forced.Koma satilozela anawo paja mkulu uyu akuti ndi wayanga zedi!!!
KOMA DAVIE UNGAZIWE KUNENA CHILUNGAMO.WANGOBAYA PENI PENI KUTI BAYI!!!.DAVIE IS SAYING THE TRUTH AND THE TRUTH HURTS.WE DONT WANT TO ACCEPT REALITY.WHAT DO YOU MEAN BY MODERN OR 21 CENTURY DEMOCRACY.DAVIE KEEP ON TELLING THE TRUTH.