Malewezi not on DPP plans, Ntaba around – Wakuda
Former ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) has dismissed rumours rip-roaring like fire in the dry bush that former State Vice President Dr Justin Malewezi would be made its presidential candidate with Peter Mutharika as running-mate for 2014 elections.
The social networking site Facebook has been abuzz with the rumour that Malewezi would be drafted in to be DPP torch bearer in 2014 as a way of rebranding the party.
Notable Facebook users who made the posting which read: “ Rumour: DPP to field Malewezi as presidential candidate and Prof. Peter Mutharika. running mate in 2014.”
But when contacted through telephone, DPP Secretary general Elias Wakuda Kamanga told Nyasa Times that there was no grain of truth in the issue.
“It is not true. We have not made any approaches to the former vice president Dr Malewezi,” Kamanga said.
He said the party has been observing the mourning period after the death of its founder Bingu wa Mutharika and that they have not made any political move.
“It has been a period of silence on our part,” said Kamanga, stressing that there is no grain of truth in the rumour.
He also said that DPP will embark on a consultative process before calling for its first national convention to elect office-bearers .
DPP national governing council (NGC) reportedly unanimously appointed Peter Mutharika to lead the party as president after Bingu’s death.
But the party has said all positions, including that of president, will be up for grabs at the convention.
Ntaba
Meanwhile, DPP spokesman Dr Hetherwick Ntaba who has been at large following the death of Mutharika remains in the party and would be active again after the end of the mourning period.
Ntaba has been “quiet” since the death of Mutharika sparking a volley of speculations that he is politically repositioning himself.
But Kamanga assured Nyasa Times that the ‘refutal machine’ is not going anywhere and remains DPP.
“He is around. I think he is just recovering from the shock of losing the Head of State,” Kamanga said.
Asked how many member of parliament DPP has now since there has been a spate of defections, Kamanga said a clear picture will be seen on May 18 when parliament opens.
Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV :
