MCP elects MP Chilondola as chairman of ‘stronghold’ central region: Mlomo whinges

Member of Parliament for Dedza North Constituency, Patrick Zebuloni Chilondola, has been voted regional chairman for the centre of opposition Malawi Congress Party (MCP) during elections held on Saturday.

Central region is considered a stronghold of MCP where is has all its members of parliament.

Five people—Lyton Dzombe, Patrick Chilondola, Alex Chitete and Dyson Kaphambe—including the former chairman veteran politician Daniel Mlomo contested.

Chilondola scooped 191 votes; Dyson Kamphambe trailed second with 152 votes n Dzombe came third after polling 53 votes. Mchinji Parliamentarian, Alex Pompopompo Chitete got 19 votes while Mlomo did not get any vote.

However, Mlomo protested that the elections were not fair.

“There was a plot to remove me,” he claimed.

Earlier the long-serving party regional chairperson claimed he had obtained an injunction against the elections but surprisingly the party was not served and he contested.

Mlomo said the elections were organised behind her back as he was targeted for removal.

“I was not even notified as the party planned to hold these elections; this is an ambush,” said Mlomo.

Mlomo said he was the regional chairperson who gave MCP a lot of MPs during the last election and wondered “why should they try to disturb the party here instead of focusing in areas where it is weak?”

But MCP spokeswoman Jessie Kabwila said the party made an announcement several months ago that it will conduct regional elections in all regions.

“Additionally,” Kabwila said “the decision was arrived at during a national executive committee meeting which Mr. Mlomo is part of.”

During the elections Joe Ching’ani was elected vice chairman after pollingm187 votes flooring two parliamentarians; Levas Chipuwa and Nkhosa Kamwendo.

Chilondola in an interview with Nyasa Times promised to revamp the party in the central region.

“I am appealing for unity amongst the MCP family so that we work hard in order to strengthen the party and lock out the region from other political competitors,” said Chilondola.