JB accepts Mia’s resignation, Msonda says PP’s big blow
The resignation of Transport and Public Infrastructure Minister Sidik Mia from Cabinet and from the ruling People’s Party (PP) as vice president for the Southern Region, has been accepted by President Joyce Banda but the ruling PP has said it’s a “big blow.”
President Banda’s adviser on communication and political affairs Elias Wakuda Kamanga issued a statement made available to Nyasa Times Friday night that the Head of State “welcomed news” that Mia has resigned from the PP and government.
“Her Excellency the President is aware that every citizen in Malawi has a democratic right to choose to belong to any political party or association and, equally, to leave any political party or association,” Kamanga said.
He said the President “wishes Hon. Sidik Mia all the best in his future endeavours.”
Mia, an influential political figure in the Lower Shire owing to developmental projects which he initiates, announced at a news conference in Blantyre after he tendered his resignation that he arrived at the decision after wide consultations.
PP Deputy Publicity Secretary Ken Msonda, said Mia’s resignation which also follows that of another PP vice president for the Central Region, Dr Cassim Chilumpha last month, is a big blow to PP and called for “soul searching.”
The ruling PP appeared divided with Msonda admitting that “differences of opinion” had emerged in the party’s senior leadership.
“How do you lose key people just like that? As a party there is need for us to meet and possibly convince Honourable Mia to rescind his decision after finding out what has happened,” said Msonda.
“How the PP wished Mia could stay in the party”.
Apart from Mia and Chilumpha, PP has also lost Sam Ganda, an MP from Nsanje and First Deputy Speaker of Parliament Jones Chingola.
Sources say there are more who will announce quitting.
The May 20 election is the first in which Banda is standing as a presidential candidate.
She ascended from a vice presidency to head of state in 2012 following the sudden death of president Bingu wa Mutharika
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