Atupele triumphs in UDF primaries: Talks tough against handouts

  • [highlight style=’platinum’] It’s time to rise up and map our destiny as a people and this starts with electing visionary people… [/highlight]

Presidential aspirant for the opposition United Democratic Front (UDF), Atupele Muluzi, has been given a grand leap ahead of the May 20 elections after triumphing in the primary polls in his Machinga North East Constituency.

The animated Muluzi floored politically-little-known sole challenger Dyson Nyambi with 6271 votes against 37 votes.

According to UDF Spokesperson, Ken Ndanga the primary elections took place on Tuesday  in the constituency.

Atupele addressing UDF members  in Machinga North east constituency
Atupele addressing UDF members in Machinga North east constituency

The youngest May 20 presidential candidate has just returned from his week-long Northern Region tour which took him to Mzimba, Rumphi, Rumphi, Mzuzu city, Karonga and Chitipa districts. He also visited Kasungu district.

 

In his meetings, Atupele said Malawi can repeat its failures in economic strides as has been the case in the last 50 years if masses continue to rely on handouts.

His father, former president Bakili Muluzi was known for monetary handouts during his reign from 1994 to 2004. Muluzi’s handpicked successor Bingu wa Mutharika also continued with the handouts and the incumbent Joyce Banda is also promoting the same.

But Atupele who touts an ‘agenda for change’ said if voted in power he will ensure people are economically empowered with focus on agriculture and developing its natural resources other than “continue carrying our begging bowl around the globe”.

“There is no way we can keep on clinging onto handouts when we have got all this land and water resources,” he observed.

“ It’s time to rise up and map our destiny as a people and this starts with electing visionary people,” he said.

“Twenty years in democracy and Malawi still trades its vote with party cloth and a T-shirt? Others are into livestock distribution, and more. Can these temporary material gifts see us through various socio-economic challenges for the next five years when such politicians are basking in the echelons of power and seemingly forget those who ushered them into such positions?”

Atupele said Malawi has “many other able individuals who can steer the national development agenda forward so much that we can’t afford to have the same people dominating our politics. They have all failed and we need to rethink our future.”

Atupele and Nyambo: United front
Atupele and Nyambo: United front
The UDF primaries: Members behind Atupele as he is covered in the face
The UDF primaries: Members behind Atupele as he is covered in the face

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