NASAF president Nyondo registers to vote in Chitipa, announces convention
National Salvation Front (Nasaf( president James Nyondo has registered for next year’s tripartite elections at Chinunkha Primary, a few metres away from village where he was born in Chitipa district.
During the 2009 elections, Nyondo voted and stood for parliamentray seat in Lilongwe on an independent ticket and also lost the presidency.
But he has relocated to his home in next year’s elections, this time around contesting under the banner of his tiny Nasaf party.
“I came to register to participate in next year’s elections. I am parliamentary candidate for Chitipa Central Constituency and I am also presidential candidate for the country,” said Nyondo in an interview with Nyasa Times later after the registration.
Indaba
Asked about the convention for the party which was slated for November, Nyondo said the indaba will be held during the first week of December.
“The convention is scheduled for December 6 to 8 in Lilongwe. There will be 600 delegates. We are currently screening candidates because NASAF believes character is important. It is not that we want saints but people who can make sacrifices now so that when we are in government they will be able to make sacrifices for their country and not greedy people who will be plundering our resources,” said Nyondo.
Nyondo said all positions will be up for grabs. He said both the presidential candidate and his or her running mate will be known at the convention.
“We don’t believe in hiding a running mate as other parties are doing. Ours is a solution oriented strategy and not winning formula as others do. The problem with choosing a running mate as a winning strategy is that presidential candidates usually dump the running mates who become vice presidents when they win. Those have been the trends since multiparty running mates who become vice presidents getting dumped in the process simply because they were chosen as winning strategy and not to help in bringing solutions to the country’s woes,” said Nyondo.
Former president Bakili Muluzi failed to utilize the great knowledge and expertise his vice Justin Malewezi had. The later Bingu wa Mutharika dumped and squeezed his vice Dr. Cassim Chilumpha. Mutharika did the same with his vice Joyce Banda during his second term. He squeezed her to the extent of not funding her office.
“The problem with choosing people for a winning strategy is that you may choose your son, brother, grandfather or some relative to be a running mate or leader of the party. Is that what Malawians want? NASAF will change that kind of politics,” said Nyondo.
NASAF has lined several mass rallies across the country from this week.
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