MCP settles for Chilima: Deputy speaker Kazombo tells Chakwera to form alliance with UTM

Malawi Congress Party (MCP) politburo has settled to dump its vice President Sidik Mia for state vice president Saulosi Chilima in a decision reached on Thursday this week, Nyasa Times understand as Deputy Speaker of parliament Madalitso Kazombo has joined growing voices in MCP calling on party president Lazarus Chakwera to speedily seal a political deal with UTM in readiness for fresh presidential election.

Dream ticket: MCP’s Chakwera (l) and UTM’s Chilima

The decision that is likely to cause ripples in the party’s southern and northern regions which are all demanding the key position, Chakwera is reported to have presented his decision to  partner with Cilima  to his inner circle that included Secretary General Einshower Mkaka, acting leader of opposition Robin Lowe and Central Region Chairperson.

“The decision is to seek Chilima as runningmate. This is final. We looked at the figures honourable Sidik Mia brought from the South, there was nothing much. Only one seat, that of his wife was won convincingly. This has undermined his position as compared to the north,” said the senior party official.

Chakweras team has already hit the ground to convince the party faithful with some of his close aides Daudi Suleman and Peter Lackson travelling to the North where their message for Chilima included means to calm down the region which is also looking to have a runningmate.

“They have told us, we can’t have two senior government officials from the North. We already have the Speaker. But our position is let Gotani Hara be runningmate, she will resign as a Speaker. They picked Mia because they thought will bring votes, we got a few. Its now time for MCP to look North, we have Harry Mkandawire, NyaHara Gotani and even Right Hon Khumbo Kachali, any of these can make a strong runningmate and deliver the vote for Chakwera to win,” said an MP from Mzimba.

But speaking at a rally in Kasungu, where he is parliamentarian,  deputy speaker Kazombo said partnering with UTM president Chilima during the election was the only sure way to remove the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) from its grip on power.

He then told the crowd to raise up hands if they agreed to the MCP/UTM alliance.

“Photographers, take pictures please. See how many people are endorsing the MCP/UTM alliance,” said Kazombo.

On Thursday, newly elected Lilongwe south MP Peter Dimba (MCP) stood up in parliament to tell the MCP leadership to go into a political alliance with the UTM.

This comes at a time when some people say the alliance talks between the two parties are facing resistance from a section of the party which supports party vice president Mia who they are fighting to be running mate to Chakwera.

Political commentator Humphrey Mvula said the two parties should strike a deal.

“ For instance, they can agree that once they get into government, the Constitution should be changed so that Dr Chilima should be prime minister,” he said.

The ruling DPP is going into an alliance with United Democratic Front (UDF).

Among others, UDF president Atupele Muluzi has demanded a second vice presidency position in government, president Peter Mutharika appoints four cabinet ministers from the UDF and Muluzi becomes running mate to Mutharika in the forthcoming presidential election.

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mpwerere
mpwerere
4 years ago

THIS ALLIANCE ITS BOOOO!!!!!!!!! AND THIS ALLIANCE EISH DPP HAS GONE COZ ITS 50+1 not 39+5=44 simumaka
mcp=38
utm=29
meaning the alliance has 67%

tung'ande
tung'ande
4 years ago

Trust this certified crook at your own risk. Joyce Banda failed and APM failed and obviously MCP will fail. This is the man who robbed victory from MCP in 2014 and taking him will be like applying acid to drinking water. MCP was better of with Mia though he is the biggest political prostitute and opportunist because he has been to almost all political parties. Above all he needs to be vice president so that his position is secured because that of minister is at the mercy of the prsident. Mia has spent alot for MCP and he should be… Read more »

Benjamin Kabinda Sakala
Benjamin Kabinda Sakala
4 years ago

UTM all regions love the party,UDF Muslims followers love the party

lazarus
lazarus
4 years ago

Isn’t it ironic that the petition before the ConCourt was based on the results that were judged to be not a true reflection of the vote yet decisions by the opposition are being based on the same figures? Eat a cake and then have it… Hypocrisy!

childrenata
childrenata
4 years ago

Pachalo is right. Two tenures of Muluzi saw everything that belonged to government sold to himself and his cronies. Two tenures of Mutharika saw all moneys from MRA repatriated to himself and his cronies. Look at your brothers and sisters, uncles and cousins , nephews and nieces, jobless. Yet, there was B & C Clapperton, Lever Brothers, Agrimal, BAT, David Whitehead, United Transport Malawi Ltd., ADMARC, PTC, Chipiku Stores, Malawi Railways, Oilcom, NOIL, Cold Storage, Malawi Milk Marketing, Tambala Food Products, etc. One claimed to be a business magnet, he destroyed all businesses. One claimed to be an economist; indeed… Read more »

Wawa Wawa
Wawa Wawa
4 years ago
Reply to  childrenata

Bravo, Brovo, Brovo you have summed up corruption in Malawi since 1994 but what you missed out is the crimes of the typist who sold off the Presidential Jet but could not account for the proceeds and other high crimes which Joyce Banda committed

kido
kido
4 years ago
Reply to  Wawa Wawa

include MSB as well

Apple
Apple
4 years ago

mmene ndawelengela ma comments apa zachita kuoneka kuti malawi ndidziko logawanikana mitundu ndipo sizizatheka kutukuka

Malawi
Malawi
4 years ago

If I was Chilima, I would go for a Ministerial Post rather than running mate. You are still young and one day you will Lead Malawi. DPP blocked you from showing Malawi how hard working you are and that you have a vision for Malawi. Settle for a Ministerial Post before positioning yourself for President. Build your party and stabilise it. You need the majority in Parliament. You need your own MP not the defectors who cannot be trusted. May 2019 Elections were a tester. You did well for a baby Party. 4 MPs not enough. Ground work. You need… Read more »

Steven
Steven
4 years ago
Reply to  Malawi

Zoona, Chilima should choose Ministerial Post than a Runningmate or Vice President position in MCP and UTM Alliance.

He should humble himself than to serve his Ego
He is still young.

Unfortunately, Chilima is egoistic and not patient to wait. That’s why he will not be a President of Malawi.

Mark my Words.

Mtunduwatha
Mtunduwatha
4 years ago
Reply to  Steven

I second, ur very right

Jay
Jay
4 years ago

All this talk of alliances is based on the presumption that no party can go it alone and win the 50+1 of the majority votes and all political talk necessitates that either or, an alliance is needed. What we are forgetting is that the numbers on which these presumptions are based are not credible and were marred by MEC. Any political alliance for the sake of winning an election will have its own set of challenges as soon as a new gvt is formed. Malawi is so divided along tribal, regional and political lines that no local citizen knows what… Read more »

Jeff Mpotazingwe
Jeff Mpotazingwe
4 years ago

The double C coalition is what everyone is anticipating with Chakwera being deputised by Chilima. Some things need no calculus to get to the answer.

kay
kay
4 years ago

This could win but will eventually be a disaster to the nation compared to if MCP won alone or UTM won alone. MCP is a very conservative party whilst UTM is a vibrant and youthful party meaning once they get into government, their path will collide. If Saulos goes as vice president, as Bakili Muluzi once said ” wapakariyala saayimba belu” his wings will be clipped off and he will never have a say. He will have to negotiate really good right from the beginning in terms of ministerial posts because he should know that it’s not just the DPP… Read more »

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