MCP North district leaders pledge Chakwera support
Malawi Congress Party (MCP) district chairpersons have pledged to support party president Lazarus Chakwera, saying the reported suspension of first vice-president Richard Msowoya will not change their loyalty to Chakwera.
Briefing journalists in Mzuzu on Monday, the chairpersons vowed that with or without Msowoya, they will still vote for MCP and Chakwera.
On Sunday, the MCP NEC resolved to suspend Msowoya, who is also Speaker of the National Assembly, and secretary general Gustave Kaliwo for allegedly working to destabilise the country’s oldest political party.
During the Mzuzu briefing, district chairpersons from Northern Region districts excluding Likoma assured Chakwera of the region’s vote even if he does not choose a running mate from the region.
MCP Karonga district chairperson James Nkhoma, whose district is home to Msowoya, said the North will support Chakwera.
MCP Mzuzu district chairperson Joseph Chavula added that the district chairperons believe in Chakwera and he should not be bothered about losing votes in the region.
He said people in the North vote on merit and that they look at the potential that a leader has.
Said Chavula: “There have been instances where people from the North have been in senior positions in party but majority of the people voted for other parties basing on the leadership of that party.
“In the last elections, former president Joyce Banda picked Sosten Gwengwe instead of the vice-president Khumbo Kachali from the North, but the region still voted for her.”
On their position on the suspension of Msowoya and Kaliwo, which the party is yet to communicate officially, the chairpersons said they would make their positions known after official communication.
MCP Nkhata Bay district chairperson Benga Chiumia hinted that the district chairpersons are in support of every decision the party is taking under the leadership of Chakwera.
He claimed Chakwera has helped revive MCP and many people are joining the party because of his ‘wise leadership’.
Msowoya could not be reached for comment on Monday.
On Sunday evening, Msowoya said he would not comment on issues based on speculation.
However, the Speaker last year expressed interest to partner Chakwera as running mate in the 2019 polls.
