Misunderstandings rock Aford convention
Misunderstandings and lack of tolerance rocked the Alliance for Democracy (Aford) national convention at Don Bosco Youth Centre in Lilongwe’s Area 23 yesterday where Karonga Central legislator Frank Mwenifumbo is challenging incumbent Enoch Chihana for the presidency.
The convention was scheduled to start at 9am and end at 2pm, according to a programme the party issued. However, tension was the prevalent mood as Chihana and Mwenifumbo could not agree on who was eligible to vote.
Chihana, who is also Rumphi Central member of Parliament, accused his challenger of bringing ineligible delegates, an allegation Mwenifumbo dismissed.
Heavy presence of armed police and private bodyguards was the common sight.
By 9pm, the two camps could not agree on the way forward, but both stated the convention had to proceed.
Earlier, Chihana told journalists he was ready to give up his position, but the situation was different inside the convention hall.
He said: “I would like to give away this party to whoever wants it. This is enough for me. I am fed up.”
But during an exchange of words with Mwenifumbo in the hall, The Nation overheard Chihana U-turned on his statement.
In an interview, Mwenifumbo accused the Chihana camp of plotting to rig the election; hence, his demand to use a voters’ roll provided by party secretary general Edward Ritchie who fell out of favour with Chihana.
Said Mwenifumbo: “We will vote and come what may, we need to. The people have stayed here since morning and haven’t eaten, so not voting is doing them injustice.”
In an attempt to resolve the impasse, an emergency National Executive Committee meeting was summoned and was attended by 34 of its 56 members. The meeting resolved that both sides present their voters’ rolls.
The High Court in Lilongwe ruled that Aford should hold its convention on May 1 and gave powers to the secretary general to vet and read out the list of delegates to vote.
However, controversy continued on who was eligible to vote as we went to press. n
