UDF governors in Mangochi rejects ‘propaganda’

United Democratic Front (UDF) leaders in Mangochi have said that the recent victory for the party in the Mongochi Msikisi ward local government by election is a vote of confidence for the party and its leadership and that no propaganda against the party will succeed.

Several local  party  leaders in the lakeshore district dismissed any divisions in the party as a result of its relationship with the governing Democratic Progressive Party (DPP), saying such allegation are unfounded as there is unity amongst members and supporters in the district.

“In as far as we are concerned we have no problems with the parliamentary relationship between our party and the DPP.

“ Our leader Atupele Muluzi called for a meeting for all the leaders  in the Eastern region long time ago which includes Mangochi where he explained in detail what the relationship entails and we all supported the idea,” said Abubakar M’baya, Regional Governor for UDF the Eastern Region.

He said in relation to the recent UDF president’s official engagement at the Mangochi council, UDF members were excited that they will also benefit from the access to good housing initiative also known as Malata Cement subsidy programme.

M’baya emphasised that UDF’s relationship with the DPP does not mean that the two parties are one and the same but that such assertions are “ mere propaganda” in order to bring confusion in the party.

The party’s district Govenor for Mangochi Urban, Yusuf Foster in a separate interview with Nyasa Times said that his committee and members are all in support of the relationship and that they recently won a by-election in Mangochi Central constituency is a vote of confidence for the party and it’s leadership.

“Our enemies will try to use all sorts of propaganda to bring confusion in the party but they will not succeed,” said Foster.

He said there is nothing wrong with both members of the party in singing praise songs for their respective leaders.

Foster said that in as far as UDF is concerned its role is to support a government development agenda which will help all Malawians including the people of Mangochi.

He said the UDF party cannot just be campaigning all the time when it has Members of Parliament and councillor who will have to explain to their people what they would have done after five years.

” We did our campaign and for those who made it this is time to deliver. Our president (Atupele) has emphasised this on several occasions and that’s what we are doing as a party now.”