DPP sets convention dates in June to endorse Mutharika as torchbearer: ‘Indaba will be fast-tracked’
Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) is gearing up for its national convention that is set to take place in June, the party secretary general Grezeldar Jeffrey wa Jeffrey has announced.
In a statement issued on Wednesday, Wa Jeffrey said the DPP will hold its convention in June but did not indicate the date or place.
“The date of the convention will be announced by the Chairperson of the convention in due course,” Jeffrey, MP said.
Details of the convention chairperson were not given.
Nyasa Times understands the convention will be fast-tracked as early as next week to endorse President Peter Mutharika as party’s torchbearer for May 2019 Tripartite Elections.
“The convention will be fast-tracked to stop ruinous divisions,” a top party source said.
The official said DPP is “ready to roar and would emerge stronger after the convention ahead of the 2019 elections”.
In an interview with Nyasa Times, Wa Jeffrey said the convention will be held in Blantyre at a venue yet to be verified.
President Mutharika has already indicated he is interested to run for another five years term -which will be his mandatory last term as per Malawi constitution – and said “the party is not for sale” to have change of guard.
Former first lady Callista Mutharika endorsed Vice President Saulos Chilima for presidential run when she termed the incumbent too old to seek re-election next year.
Youth leader Louis Ngalande, former minister Patricia Kaliati and national governing council member Noel Masangwi, legislators Bon Kalindo, Allan Ngumuya, Paul Chibingu are among those who are backing Chilima Movement.
DPP last held its convection on April 17, 2013 with Peter Mutharika coming out as the party’s torch bearer for the 2014 elections after beating his only contender Henry Chimunthu Banda.
However, according to article 8, point 4 of the DPP convention, the party is expected to hold a National Political Conference (Convention) after every two years or an extra ordinary one in between at the request of the National Governing Council (NGC).
There are reports that the NGC for DPP has not met since four years ago and the summoning of the convention has not be sanctioned by the party executive.
Article 8, point 4 of the DPP Constitution National stipulates that a National Political Conference shall consist of all members of the NGC, Regional Committee Members, District Committee Members and nine dully accredited delegates from each constituency drawn from the main committee, the Women’s Committee and the Youth Committee.
“Among the responsibilities, the conference shall review reports from the NGC and such other bodies as may be required on the progress and functions of the party. It shall also review and approve the policies and operations of the party and elect office holders to various positions in the party,” it reads.
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DPP is scared of its own shadow. A haste convention will be a disaster and demonstration that party members are only interested in positions. A party convention has a lot more objectives than electing leaders. In fact election of leaders should be based on who best can advance the approved policies, developmental projects agreed at the said convention. Be careful with rushing the convention……you might just be surprised with the results. We are watching you,
Ndikumva DPP izapangisa convention pa 30 June. Imeneyo ndinthawi yokwanira kwambiri kwa onse omwe akufuna kukopa anthu kuti azawabvotere. Imeneyo ndiye democracy yeniyeni. Manyazi agwire mcp. Chipani chothana ndi onse osusana nawo. Mzimu osakhululuka uli very strong mu utsogoleri wa MCP.
What education qualification does Grezelder wa Jefferey hold? I remember a young girl sitting national exams at Lilongwe Girls Secondary as an external candidate bearing the exact name as “Grezelder Wa Jefferey”. MANEB should investigate this because I don’t there’re two Grezelder Wa Jeffereys in Malawi or that young girl who sat the national exam has just rapidly got so old to an extent that it’s this Wa Jefferey were seeing today. ME WONDER!
If a Kongilesi tikudikira konveshioni yathu yomwe sekeletale wathu Kaliwo ati aitanitse posachedwapa. Kumeneko tikasankha akuluakulu oyendetsa MCP ndipo sitifuna kulamulidwa ndi PP(B).
I thought DPP had their “convention” already when they met in Lilongwe to endorse Mutharika., They want to endorse him again. Chilima has indicated that he will contest as an independent presidential candidate in 2019
If he really believes he has what it takes, let Chilima put his name forward. When he loses, which is more likely, let him and his people SHUT the FUCK UP. Munaziyamba dala and mwatisokosera kokwanira.
In a democracy is it wrong for someone to aspire to a position? maybe you should the one who should FUcK yourself.
Munawalekerela kokwanila. Kaya anali mantha kaya chizolowezi cholekerera zinthu kaya. Koma tsopano wina waganiza bwino. Amenewa mukathana nawo ku msokhano waukuluwo.
This is an ambush. Convention at such notice. This is so the other side have no time to campaign or lobby.
Ili ndilo bodza. Ife a Kalindo atiwuza pa program ya tchu tchu tchu kuti ali ready. Za a Gustavo zija ndizimene muti munene apa. Tiyeni konko inu mumabwetuka musanakozeke bwanji.
NO at the convention we are going to vote for the person we want to put forward as our potential president! Otherwise why hold a convention when you already know who you will choose? Don’t worry if APM does not get in as long as the process is correct! I personally do not believe that the pro Chilima group are manageable when it comes to corruption! The reason why they don’t want APM is because he wont let them squander GVT money!!!!
You want to know why? MCP had to rush its convention because of confusionists (nkholokolo) so don’t be surprised thato DPP is using the same trick. Purge all confusinists so that the party can prepare for the 2019 polls. Amene zimunyase akayambe chake chipani.
Hehede koma ndaseka kwabasi APM kuletsa anthu kuba. Akulu mukulota kapena chani.
Go ahead so that we divide DPP and make a clear lead for MCP.Dont forget that Peter had 1.9m votes, and Chakwera 1.4m votes…the difference was a mere 400thousand..game zikwanje..let it go.
Probably you should have said the same about MCP when it rushed its convention.
AND I QUOTE ‘NGC FOR DPP HAS NOT MET SINCE FOUR YEARS AGO’