DPP’s Nakoma to stand as an independent candidate against Mwanamvekha in Chiradzulu South

Minister of Agriculture, Irrigaton and Water Development, and Member of Parliament (MP) for Chiradzulu South Joseph Mwanamveka will no longer face his supposed Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) contender Oliver Nakoma in primary elections, but during the forthcoming general elections.

This follows the declaration by Nakoma that he is going to stand as an independent candidate for the area following disagreements that rose during the primary elections.

In an Interview with Nyasa Times, Nakoma said the party is reluctant to resolve and address complaints he lodged against the way the primaries were conducted but they instead went ahead to declare Mwanamveka as a winner in the disputed polls.

Among others, he said he was not given the electoral collages, and the candidature fee payment was done through someone else because some party officials from the southern region were refusing to collect it for him.

“I was beaten up and chased from the region offices on the day of payment. I have never been invited for a discussion on how the primaries were to be conducted. Despite been a DPP renowned member, the constituency and District Governors were instructed not to welcome me. It was hard for me to fully participate in the primary elections,” he said.

Nakoma said he has tried to lodge his complaints to senior party members but to no avail.

Despite being an independent aspirant Nakoma said he will still be campaigning for DPP torch bearer Peter Mutharika during the campaign.

Recently, DPP vice president for the South Kondwani Nankhumwa  described the party primaries especially in the South as a mess.

Nankhumwa  made the admission during an interface meeting with the frustrated shadow Members of Parliament from the constituencies which had disputed primary elections at the party’s regional offices in Blantyre.

He feared that the disputed primary elections results have the potential to minimize its chances of retaining power in this year’s Tripartite Elections.

Meanwhile the party will hold re-runs in the following constituencies; Mulanje North, Nsanje Lalanje, Neno South, Chikwawa West, Nsanje South, Chikwawa Nkombezi, Thyolo South West, Phalombe South, Mulanje West and Blantyre City West.

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