Malawi ex central bank governor Mbewe joins UDF leadership race
Former Governor of Reserve Bank of Malawi, Victor Mbewe have joined the leadership race for Malawi opposition United Democratic Front (UDF) at the forthcoming convention after collecting his nomination forms on Monday at the party secretariat in Blantyre.
UDF secretarygeneral Kennedy Makwangwala confirmed that Mbewe collected his nomination forms to contest at the party convention slated for October 30 in Blantyre.
“Yes I can confirm Mr Victor Mbewe has collected his nomination forms,” said Makwangwala as the former banker was seen leaving the party offices.
Mbewe, a commercial banker almost throughout his career, also formerly worked as Managing Director of Standard Bank.
He has also served in the board of National Insurance Company (Nico) and is currently chairman of the board of directors for state-owned Malawi Savings Bank (MSB).
Makwangwala said the UDF has opened its nomination process for all positions for its much touted national convention at Comesa Hall and that there will be open leadership contest.
Nyasa Times understands that among other people who have collected nomination forms for leadership include former General Manager of the statutory Tobacco Control Commission’s (TCC) Dr Godfrey Chapola and former head of the Electricity Supply Commission of Malawi, Kandi Padambo.
Top favourite to win the National Chairman post, Atupele Muluzi, son of former president and current Minister of Economic Planning and Development, also reportedly picked his nomination forms through his supporters.
Also contesting for leadership is former sports minister Mosses Dossi.
UDF ruled Malawi from 1994 to 2004 under Muluzi and from 2004 to early 2005 with Bingu wa Mutharika, who was handpicked by Muluzi and ditched the party to form the DPP.
Convention chairperson, former foreign affairs minister Lillian Patel, has assured those seeking to vie for various posts of credible nominations.
This, according to Patel, would ensure that UDF form a formidable team to enable the party win 2014 elections.
She said there were many other “new faces and new talents” seeking nomination for the party positions including women and the youth.
Patel said UDF needed to have leaders who would be able to revitalise the party and remain competitive.
She described the convention as an important gathering that is meant “to crystallise our vision for the future.”
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