MCP splinter group asks Chakwera to resign, calls for early convention

A splinter group has emerged in the main opposition Malawi Congress Party (MCP) that has since challenged party president Lazarus Chakwera to step down and convene a convention.

Chatinkha Chidzanja Nkhoma, one of the MCP officials who propelled Chakwera into the party helm said at a news conference on Wednesday that Chakwera has failed the MCP.

“You hear one problem after another in the party. We do not have a leader in MCP who should deal with the problems. Honourable Dr Chakwera should call for a convention now where we should elect another leader, he has led us down,” said Chidzanja Nkhoma.

She is a billionaire Malawian lady with properties in housing and other investments. She is eyeing for the MCP presidency.

Chidzanja Nkhoma, the daughter of one of Kamuzu Banda’s first cabinet ministers in the 1960s, accused the MCP of nepotism.

MCP spokesperson Jessie Kabwila has since welcomed the decision by former party president John Tembo to mediate on issues that are tearing the party apart.

“This will help bring back the unity the party needs ahead of the 2019. This will bring back the four corner stones the party prides itself in. Time is running out, 2019 is just around the corner,” Kabwila said.

One of MCP senior party members Felix Jumbe has been telling the media how Chakwera is sidelining him and problems he is facing in the party.

Kabwila’s supporters were recently beaten up at a rally held by Chakwera in Salima.