Atupele’s runningmate Mwenifumbo tells Chihana: ‘I am not resigning from Aford’

Newly picked United Democrtaic Front (UDF) presidential running mate Frank Tumpale Mwenifumbo has said he would not resign from Alliance for Democracy (Aford), saying he was picked as running mate to Atupele Muluzi by virtue of his membership to Aford.

The maverick Karonga central legislator’s comment follow calls from Aford president Enoch Chihana to resign as Aford member to join the UDF, a party Chihana was belonged to.

“This is just an electoral alliance. This arrangement is for the elections only. I am still Aford and my president remains the Right Honourable Chihana,” said Mwenifumbo.

Muluzi made a surprise pick of Mwenifumbo as his running mate for the highly contentious May 21 elections.

Mwenifumbo went to Comesa hall in Blantyre for the presentation of nomination papers accompanied by Aford supporters.

“This is not nothing knew. At one point, Chakufwa Chihana was running mate to Gwanda Chakuamba and Brown Mpinganjira was running mate to John Tembo,” said Mwenifumbo.

But Chihana said the party constitution does not allow a member to hold membership of two parties.

“As Aford, we are not in alliance with the UDF,” he said.

Chihana said Mwenifumbo should choose whether to be running mate to Muluzi or continue to be member of Aford.

He said Aford is in official alliance with UTM party of Saulos Chilima.