Chihana says JB meet did not renew Aford-PP alliance: ‘It was casual talks’

Embattled Alliance for Democracy (Aford) president Enock Chihana said he was paid a courtesy visit by  People’s Party (PP) president Joyce Banda at his Rumphi Central residence by has  it was a normal visit and not  renewing the electoral alliance.

Holding ‘casual talks’: Joyce Banda and Chihana in Rumphi

Chihana speaking to the supporters after meeting JB
Joyce Banda with Aford supporters
Chihana and his wife Tadala

PP and Aford had a working alliance prior to the 2014 Tripartite Elections as Chihana served as a Minister in Joyce Banda’s Cabinet between her 2012 and 2014 rule.

Chihana said Banda visited him at his house on her way from Bolero where she went to console the acting Paramount Chief Chikulamayembe.

“It was a normal visit. No crucial issues were discussed,” said Chihana.

He described the talks at the house as “casual.”

Chihana also disowned a statement circulating on social media portraying that Chihana had settled for PP for an alliance, saying it is  “fake and cheap propaganda.”

Meanwhile, Aford which was split by immense power struggle for six months, will not field a presidential candidate during the May 21 highly contentious tripartite election.

Spokesperson for the party Khumbo Mwaungulu also said Aford will not hold party primaries to identify parliamentary and local government candidates.

“We will not field a presidential candidate, instead we will support an opposition candidate. As an opposition party, we feel we need to join forces with other opposition parties to field one candidate if we are to dislodge the ruling DPP [Democratic Progressive Party] from power,” said Mwaungulu.

Mwaungulu however could not say which opposition candidate Aford will rally behind during the unpredictable elections.

He said instead of holding party primary elections for its parliamentary and local government candidates, the party will just identify the candidates.

The Aford spokesman did not give reasons for this but Karonga central MP Frank Mwenifumbo who bowed out of the party presidency tussle, said this was undemocratic move.

“All candidates need to undergo party primary elections, this is a democratic way of selecting people for various elective offices,” said Mwenifumbo.

He said the issue should be put forward to the national executive committee (NEC) to debate the issue and endorse the idea.

“If this is from NEC, I do not have any problems but the democratic way was to hold the primary election just as we elect party leaders at a convention,” he said.

The party said it was not going to hold another convention as ordered by the High Court in Lilongwe because it had no money.

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zomoazo mazambazi
zomoazo mazambazi
5 years ago

Mwenifumbo is a now a former member of AFORD as he was lawfully expelled by party leader Enock Chihana. Therefore Mwenifumbo has no right to interfere in AFORD matters as he has no right whatsoever to do so. Enock Chihana now needs to demand ACB probe into how Mwenifumbo corruptly acquired wealth with Bingu by awarding fertilizer contracts to the Indian traders. Evil Mwenifumbo has to be banished from AFORD forever and from politics of ever. The man is father of corruption.

BigMan
BigMan
5 years ago

Chihana, interesting character.

MCHACHA
MCHACHA
5 years ago

Koma abale magetsi afika povutadi. zoona mpaka pulezidenti wakale kumayenda ndi power bank? Kapena vuto ndi battery la phone?

Mesimadzi
Mesimadzi
5 years ago

Mwenifumbo, you are our hope. The reason why people like the late Mapopa Chipeta, the late Matembo Mzunda, Mervin Moyo and others disagreed with the late Chakufwa Chihana was because of such undemocratic culture. Now Enock is demonstrating the same, Mwenifumbo renew your bid for AFORD. Presidency. Any move to avoid a convention by Enock will be contempt of court.

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