PP presidency two horse race: JB faces Fatchi
The People’s Party convention will be an open contest for all positions including the presidency where Malawi’s Head of State, Mrs Joyce Banda has a challenger, Nyasa Times understands.
PP holds the convention at College of Medicine in the commercial city of Blantyre on Monday August 27.
Nyasa Times understand that Blantyre-based businessperson Caesar Fatchi obtained nomination papers and lodged with the secretariat to run for president as a challenger to President Banda.
“My move to challenge President Banda at the convention is healthy for democracy,” said Fatchi.
Fatchi has claimed to have a degree in law .
President Banda who founded the political outfit had been expected to win the election at the convention unchallenged. But the party said “it’s a contest between JB and Fatchi.”
However, analysts say Banda will sail through easily.
The Malawi leader has offered herself as a candidate and would be a front runner for 2014 Malawi general elections.
Banda founded her political party in 2010 when she opposed the endorsement of President Bingu wa Mutharika’s young brother, Peter, to be the party’s candidate in the 2014 general election. Members of the then ruling party, the Democratic Progressive Party, endorsed young Mutharika before a convention.
Apart from the presidency all party portfolios were open for contest and that members were free to run for any position.
University of Malawi political Science lecturer Blessings Chinsinga while commending the People’s Party for holding a convention also pointed out that democracy should be the bedrock of all political organisations without fear of reprisal.
“Political parties have to embrace intra-party tolerance. It was obvious that people are afraid of reprisal if they are being seen opposing the president,” he said.
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