MP Chitete teases on rightful Aford president in Parliament
There was drama in parliament on Friday when parliamentarian for Mchinji North East, Alex Chitete, in a satirical manner teased on who was the eligible president for Alliance for Democracy (AFORD) between Enoch Chihana and Karonga Central legislator Frank Mwenifumbo.
Chitete wondered and asked the Speaker, Richard Msowoya, if it was in order to have two presidents of the same political party in parliament.
“Mr Speaker, Sir, is it in order for this House to have two presidents for one political party?” asked Chitete.
Responding to the question, Msowoya said his office was not aware of the development.
And, former vice president and Mzimba South East Constituency legislator, Khumbo Kachali, also—satirically—congratulated both Chihana and Mwenifumbo for making it as AFORD presidents.
“We will be calling you AFORD E and AFORD M meaning factions for Mwenifumbo and Chihana,” joked Kachali.
But standing on a point of order, Chihana, who was welcomed to parliament after his return from the Pan-African Parliament by the Speaker, said he was the only genuine AFORD president.
Parliamentarians shouted “Simbi Ya Moto” in the House, supporting Chihana in memory of his father Chakufwa Chihana—a freedom fighter and former republican vice president.
“Mr Speaker, Sire, I am the only genuine president of AFORD,” said Chihana.
UDF chaku mangwetu DPP mapuya mulopwana AFORD cha Dada the PP will soon be a family limousine it is the MCP which was under the Nsanje leadership Gwanda there it was onto JZU the Dedza boy and today the driver of the party is Chakwera MCP has a very well organised leadership here we are today it is on the verge of being on the lap of Mia MCP a party with concrete vision for a nation adrift on high seas of chronic corruption under the DPP watch
@Zam’tonda: Musazinyenge inu.
Mia has captured MCP basi, in every consequential sense of the word. He pays the bills now (and he has his own accountants for this), and he will demand repayment when oChakwera loses the Mpando Wonona next year. Because all Mia is interested in is the VP position. That would give him access to the highway to state capture.
You should think also that the Presidential vote requires a different calculus from the MPs election. The calculus may get VERY complicated: especially, with the minnow Parties for no other reason than to gang up on DPP and UDF.
Regional and cultural (read TRIBAL) affiliations are still the determining forces in Malawi politics, even when some of us wish it was NOT the case. Yours truly included.
So, in that vein, AFORD in the North will take the bulk of the Presidential vote, no question.
In the Center, complications galore: oChakwera may win a small prularity, based on the fact that he’s a homeboy; but not many Masekos will vote for him necessarily. (I’m writing off the so-called Chilama Movement even now) And there are probably close to a million “southerners” living there, and most will sentimentally associate with APM. (I am just the messenger, and tio be clear, I am NOT justifying these voting tendencies or rationales) Ok?
In the East: there are VERY very many people from the true South (including “settlers” who feel strong affinity to APM. Also, consider that the East is really part of the South, historically and even culturally.. (By the current politics, I would not be surprised if the Muluzis made tacit support for APM as Atupele’s chances of winning are close to negligible anyway)
In the true South, Majority Lower Shireans do not look at Mia as one of their own (recall cultural affiliation?- good or bad but that is the suggestion) There are many original Northers and Centrals who have established semi deep roots there, but they still feel for “home”. But numerically, for election purposes, their numbers are inconsequential. Moreover many of them are malleable, and can be convinced to change their sentimental and even voting preferences by friends, close relatives living nearby, family including spouses. Why? Because for them, they now want to protect their long term interests, like investments (real estate) relationships, – personal, familial and spousal.
Assign some reasonable, not wishful thinking numbers, in the slots, Sir.
And do you still feel sure, and confident that oChakwera will the Mpando Wonona?