JB picks Gwengwe as her running mate: Done deal!
It’s now done deal! President Joyce Banda will be partnered with youthful minister of trade Sosten Gwengwe as her running mate on People’s Party (PP) ticket.
State Vice President Khumbo Kachali has told Nyasa Times that he has been formally told by President Banda that she will not be pairing with him as a running mate.
“The President has not picked me as a running mate,” said Kachali who is also PP vice-president for the Northern Region.
He described Banda’s decision as “a vote of no confidence” to him.
Banda has been booked to submit her nomination papers to Malawi Electoral Commission (MEC) officials Friday at the Comesa Hall in Blantyre.
She hs picked Gwengwe as her running mate and officially announced at a news conference today.
Gwengwe, who is member of Parliament (MP) for Dedza Central Constituency, resigned as MP on Wednesday to pave way for the new role.
The law requires presidential candidates or their running mates to quit any public office they hold before submitting their nomination papers.
He confirmed to Nyasa Times that he was tipped to be running mate.
“Yes I have resigned as MP. It’s a requirement of the constitution,” he said.
Asked if he was appointed running mate, Gwengwe said: “Wait for official announcement today.”
Put to him whether he was ready to accept that challenge, he was upbeat, saying “I am set to help Her Excellency President Dr Joyce Banda in her transformational agenda.”
And when told “congratulations for being appointed running mate”, Gwengwe replied: “Thank you very much.”
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