Aford convention postponed indefinitely
Alliance for Democracy (AFORD) has announced that it has postponed its convention that was slated for this Agust 23 to 24 in the northern city of Mzuzu
The announcement was made by Aford spokesman Dan Msowoya, who explained that the decision has
been taken in order to give room to all other interested party members including members from other parties who would love to contest at the convention.
“The national conference organizing committee has given due to cognizance of the desire to our colleagues from other parties such as the National Rainbow Coalition (NaRC), National Patriotic Front (NPF) and Peoples Democratic Movement (PDM) to participate in the national convention therefore the necessity to prepare themselves” said Msowoya in a statement made available to Nyasa Times.
Msowoya said the three parties which are likely to have a coalition with Aford in the next year’s general elections have shown interest to contest at the convention.
“They (NARC, NPF and PDM) want to be part of the convention and it was fair to wait for them,” he said.
While trashing suggestions that the postponement is due to financial hiccups, the Publicist said the move is part of enhancing democracy.
“We do not want to be seen or being accused of power hungry hence the waiting” he said.
Minister of Sports and Youth Development, who is also Rumphi Central Parliamentarian, Enock Chihana has declared his interest to contest for Aford top post.
Aford was founded by trade unionist Chakufwa Chihana (father to Enock Chihana) in 1992. In the 1994 general elections, the party swept all the 33 seats in northern region and three others in central region.
By the time Chakufwa Chihana died in 2006, the party had only six parliamentary seats. Currently, it has two members of parliament, Khwauli Msiska and Enock Chihana. Chihana is minister in the PP led government and has declared his support to President Joyce Banda.
