Controversy over PP-Aford alliance in Rumphi
Alliance for Democracy (Aford) ‘standby’ president Enoch Katola Chakufwa Chihana has said his party’s relationship with the ruling Peoples Party is lifelong and has challenged ‘rebels’ to quit if not compatible with it but PP is still claiming it has its own candidate in Chihana’s Rumphi central constituency.
Chihana, who has since erected a large Billboard at Rumphi Boma, the headquarters of his Rumphi Central Constituency, said Aford’s alliance with PP is still technical in nature saying documentation will follow later.
“Whoever wants to follow will do so and whoever disagrees is free to leave,” he said.
“We extensively discussed this issue at our last convention at Mary Mount Secondary School in Mzuzu and delegates endorsed it,” Chihana said.
However, his victory at the convention rests with the Court as another faction within the party challenged it citing many irregularities and the flouting of the party’s constitutional provisions.
Pronouncements on the billboard, which depicts PresidentJoyce Banda on the left hand side and Chihana on the right, screams “Rumphi Central Constituency, vote for Her Excellency Dr Joyce Banda President of the Republic of Malawi, Enoch K Chakufwa Chihana, MP. Mwimilili wino wamphala ya malango, wa chitukuko, wotemwa wanthu wake, wambula kunyoza wanthu kweni kulimbikila pakugwira ntchito za chitukuko”
With four months before Malawi goes to polls, Chihana did not specify when the alliance will be officially consummated.
However, PP has a candidate for Rumphi Central who is former Aford stalwart Norman Nyirenda.
PP secretary general Paul Maulidi and regional chairman for the north Christopher Ngwira confirmed that Nyirenda was dully elected at PP primaries to represent the party.
Mauludi said there is no formal electoral pact with Aford but acknowledged the working relationship with Chihana , who is serving as Minister Youth and Sports Development in Banda’s cabinet.–MEC Stringer
