PP supporters unhappy with Phoya, Mijiga: ‘We want to choose our own candidate’
Some constituents from Blantyre South East and Blantyre Rural East constituencies have asked ruling People’s Party (PP) top brass to come in the open and declare that Henry Duncan Phoya and the party’s director of fundraising, Steve Mijiga have not been sent by President Joyce Banda to contest in these constituencies respectively.
Phoya, who is also the minister of Lands and Leader of Government in Parliament, is the parliamentarian for Blantyre Rural East, but has shown interest for Blantyre South East.
While Mijiga is trying to snatch the seat from Phoya and is reported to have ditched K6000 to each chief from Phoya’s constituency and promising more if they allow him to contest for the area in the forthcoming elections.
Phoya has since dumped his constituency where he is the sitting parliamentarian and has been conducting meetings in Blantyre South East Constituency, claiming he has been sent by President Banda to contest for the area under PP ticket.
“Why is Hon Phoya forsaking his constituency he represented in all these years? He has failed there and wants to find an easy way out? Why should the PP impose on us the choice of a candidate here?” queried one constituent, who spoke on condition of anonymity.
He further said they need someone with a heart for the constituency who will push the government to solve the problems they are facing.
“If indeed Hon. Phoya has been sent by the President, then it’s unfortunate because this is bringing confusion among us devoted members of PP. We want the PP hierarchy to come in the open and declare that indeed Hon Phoya has been sent by the President but we still stress that we want to choose our own candidate through PP ticket and no one else,” explained the constituent.
On his part, one of the chiefs from Blantyre Rural East and received the K6000, said Mijiga has been endorsed by President Banda but is not originally from the area.
“Why he has not been coming all this time to claim his roots? It is because time for elections is nearing? We don’t want strangers who are imposed by their respective masters in order to advance their interests,” said the chief.
He also claimed that Mijiga has been the source of conflict in the area, forcing incumbent MP, Phoya to dump the area for Blantyre South East.
The chief further claimed that Mijiga is also considered as “the right hand man of the State President.”
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