MP asks referendum on federalism as Parliament fails to hold public hearing
Parliament’s Legal Affairs Committee says the idea to hold public hearing on federalism has stalled due to lack of financial resources thereby prompting legislator Yeremiah Chihana to ask for a national referendum for a federal government or the North to become a standalone country amid feelings that the region is being sidelined in terms of development and public appointments.
The committee chairperson Kezzie Msukwa said parliament’s secretariat is looking for funds for the public hearing.
The federalism public hearing was supposed to be heard in November last year.
“You see, this is a private member’s motion, this is why it is not easy to attract funding,” he said.
He asked organisations and other well wishers are welcome to fund the exercise.
Mover of the motion, Mzimba North legislator Yeremia Chihana (Alliance for Democracy-Aford) said it would be the waste of time to hold the public hearing on the matter.
He suggested that the government should just order a referendum to allow Malawians decide on whether to adopt federalism or not.
Chihana argues that in the interest of equitable distribution of resources and development in Malawi, and as a solution to the challenges brought about by quota system in the Education Sector, coupled with the elasticity of Malawi politics, and to ensure equal participation in political decisions, the country needs to change its system of government.
He said there is evidence that national resources are not distributed equally and the quota system has denied many deserving Malawians the right to higher education, hence the country needs to change its system of government.
In 2006, President Peter Mutharika, then a professor of international law at Washington University School of Law in the United States of America, proposed federalism as a solution to address the issue of national unity.
In his paper presented at the National Constitutional Review Conference in Lilongwe held from March 28 to 31 2006 titled Towards a More Manageable Constitution, he observed that Nigeria successfully resolved problems that were created by its three regions at independence in 1960 by establishing what are now 36 states and one federal territory.
However, in August 2014, three months after becoming President, Mutharika urged political and religious leaders against calls for federalism, arguing it would divide the country.
I disagree with this kind of reasoning for several reasons. Here are my points, WHY DID QUOTA SYSTEM STARTED??? Answer; TO COUNTER THE DAMAGE DONE BY THE NORTHERS MASTERMINDED BY KANYAMA CHIUME IN 1964 WHEN HE WAS MINISTER OF EDUCATION. WHY DO NORTHERNERS HATE QUOTA SYSTEM??? Answers: BCOZ THEY KNOW IT WILL UNDONE ALL THEIR EFFORTS OF DOMINATING THE TWO REGIONS ACADEMICALLY. WHY DO THEY NOW PUSH FOR FEDERATION NOW??? Answer: BCOZ THEY KNOW THAT THEY HAVE LOST THE BATTLE, THE GROUND IS GETTING NARROWER AND NARROWER, HENCE LEAVING THEM NO CHANCE OF EVER ATTAINING THE MANTLE OF POWER! IS… Read more »
I cannot respond to the whole historical nonsense of yours….but as long as you agree that Federalism is good……the motive is to develop this country……please remember that even if you can keep on oppressing us time will still come when this country’s cracks will open and make it impossible for you to hold on….just mark my words and even give them to your grand sons or daughters…..it will happen….if not careful….it may start with the Concourt’s verdict…….
This is not about Northeners,Southerners,cetralners or even you people as you may call it but its about our beloved country Malawi and for our Great grand childrens.Please THINK MALAWI,THINK YOU AND FUTURE GENERATIONS thats the MOTO for FEDRAL SYSTEM OF GOVERNMENT.
Think guys before you oppose,Do you Know the meaning of federalism and its importance.Simple terms share fair: means accountable-more political checks,Transparent-more checks and balances,Equitable,Upholding rule of law,efficiency and effectiveness when transacting Government business.Bingu was right when he talked about taking Malawi to federal Government.Do you Know why USA is inimirtable and why other gorvernment can not influence Nigerian internal affairs even if Boko haram troubles them,Do you know why mozambique wealthy is more than Malawi despite having civil war for decades, and South Africa-despite apatheid,zenophobia-the answer is federalism.Each state manages its affairs well and corruption of one state can not… Read more »
I don’t think that federal government will help the people of North Malawi. Those people in power they don’t want to see prosperity of North Malawi,both in infrastructure development and education training institutions. Just think about the deserving students from north Malawi who scored better points are left out of university. There is only one way for north Malawi to develop, that is session/stand-alone,or all three regions should be independent,it is possible so that no one should punish other regions.Each region will plan for its development.However, from the last stanza or paragraph of the article above, the country is already… Read more »
Please not everyone can go to university. We stop cheating each other. No country in the world has that policy. We need equal opportunities and those deserving to proceed.
Of course…but why are you manipulating results…let those who deserve to go, go and those who deservedly cant ….fail to go but you and this stupid government are doing the opposite
This is a stupid tumbuka logic. I think the best way is for all of you and your stupid tumbuka MP Yeremia Chihana is to campaign to be a district within Mbeya Region of Tanzania or a perfecture within Tukuyu district of that country. Mumatikwana ndi kupanda nzeru kwanuko.
No brains……go back to school and understand what the MP is saying…….you have chosen to ignore what he is saying………kuzolowera kuba ndikukhala mtimanyumba taudzu kwanu ndiye mukufuna mupitirize kuba ndikuwononga dziko……..mbuzi ya mano kunsi……if you cant give us Federal then give us a country as North…tatopa nanu, we are a hard working and development concious region siizi mukuchita ayi…zo mamanga ma dam a ng’ona nkumati ndidooko…we want and are fully determined to develop….we want Federal or allow us to go our way but WITHOUT you and your corrupt and myopic leaders……..minani abambo kuti muliwone dziko bwino!
Joni..Listen Anthu aku Central and south invest in their regions. Look at Midyomba in Mangochi. unfortunately you northerners rush to invest in the Central and southern region too. Open your eyes and admit you are part of the problem.
Apange aku mpotowo okha
I absolutely support federalism. It is the best move and ensures that every region develops itself. contrary to what people are thinking that money generated will be split into 3 that is not the case. Counties benefit from what they make as a county and a bit may me used in other regions as the national government deems fit. Hence it will make people from the north rethink about investing elsewhere but the north if they do indeed want to see rapid development within their county. That is why certain states in the USA are poor and the same applies… Read more »
Take us to a land of peace
Mister reporter why this obsession with the news seeking MP . North Malawi is comprised of many tribes and within those tribes there is a dominate one. In this case its the tumbukas which means that in the long run we will have a scenario were the Tonga’s, nkhondes will be crying foul over one tribe being in monopoly of power. People want power at any cost thats why the like of this MP is always suggesting ways and means whixh will bring him and his cohorts in the corridors of power. In 1994 Aford was regarded as a regional… Read more »
Kikiki!
Chitsiru kuyamikira chitsiru chinzake…….no brains…….mamina pamphuno basi
One of the most stupid and myopic ‘Chirwa’ I have ever heard from…….like the Vuwa Kaunda one…..the Hon MP is true in his motion but you choose to ignore the reasons of this call. You want this country to remain poor and stagnant in development because of this system which is manipulated and is favouring the sleepy, lazy and cowards like you who are scared to change even for the better…..this country deserves the brave like Hon Chihana not cowards like you……if you are afraid, keep quiet nicompomp!!!