Aford convention Dec 16
Alliance for Democracy (Aford) plans to hold its make-or-break convention next month to elect its presidential candidate for 2019 Tripartite Elections.
This is the first time Aford members are going to elect the party’s leaders since the announcement of a movement to revamp the party run by its sole legislator, Enoch Chihana.
Aford last fielded a presidential contestant in 1994 when its founding leader, the late Chakufwa Chihana, lost to Bakili Muluzi.
Speaking when he announced the pending convention, slated for December 16, at a rally in Mzuzu on Sunday, Karonga Central legislator Frank Mwenifumbo said there is mounting demand for Aford to field a candidate in the 2019.
“The party will decide who should represent it in the elections,” he said.
Mwenifumbo reckoned Aford still has a good vision for all Malawians, but people, who never gave it a chance to run the country, have realised that it is time for the party to rule.
“It is time that we go all over the country to popularise the manifesto so that people can vote the party into power,” he said.
Aford vice-president Martha Chiume confirmed that preparations for the indaba are underway.
“The party believes in democracy. By coming up with leaders through the convention, it will grow even further,” she said.
The party also welcomed into its fold Ibrahim Swanke, the former ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) regional director of elections, who wants to contest for a parliamentary seat in 2019, he said.
