MCP welcomes academician Dr Sikanda in its fold

Malawi Congress Party (MCP) is strengthening its membership base in the north and has seen academician Dr Bellings Sikanda joining the party’s fold.

This follows the welcoming of economist and former Deputy Minister of Finance Dr Cornelius Mwalwanda two weeks ago.

Sikanda, who has been also appointed as the second Deputy Director of Research in the National Executive Committee (NEC) for the MCP by its president Dr Lazarus Chakwera, has been working with the UNCHR for 21 years as Head of Desk in Geneva as well as the country’s Chief Social Welfare for 6 years and is currently lecturing at the University of Livingstonia.

Speaking during the welcome rally, Sikanda said that he has decided to join MCP after seeing that the party has the natural tendency of helping people as well as leaders with political maturity.

“MCP is the only party which has leaders who are capable to deliver for the nation. MCP is the solution for the country and my coming is just boosting it,” said Sikanda.

He said because the majority of Malawians placed their hope in the MCP to “take them to the promised land”, it was important for the party leaders to prioritise unity among themselves.

“We are unstoppable and we are taking the MCP to the centre ground of politics and we are saying 2019 when the next elections will be held), here we come,” said Sikanda.

Sikanda said his focus now is making sure that the party is reinvigorated to emerge a strong front come 2019.

“I will help MCP to be bigger, better and more formidable,” he said.

Sikanda said Malawians demand “true national leadership” that can begin to address the multi-layered crisis facing this nation.

In his remarks, Walusako Munde who is MCP Deputy Region Secretary for the Northern Province who stood as MCP MP Candidate for Karonga North-West declared that with the coming in of Sikanda, he will not contest in 2019, paving way for the new entrant.

“Every one of you knows that I stood for MCP but today I am crowning Sikanda as your shadow MP,” said Munde

The MCP district Chairperson Emmanuel Nkhoma and Mwalwanda described the party’s fast expansion in the province as the sign of winning the 2019 general election.

Meanwhile, the party has 14 National Executive Committee members in the region.