National News

Opposition bloc takes on APM

 

Opposition political parties are seeking an audience with President Peter Mutharika to present their “concerns” over the myriad economic and political challenges facing the country.

The parties said during the meeting, they also want to offer advice to Mutharika who has been blaming them for only pointing at mistakes without providing alternative solutions.

Presidents John Chisi of Umodzi Party (UP) and Hellen Singh of United Independence Party (UIP), told reporters in Blantyre on Friday they had agreed as an opposition alliance to meet Mutharika at State House to present their worries.

The two leaders said all 2014 presidential aspirants, except Malawi Congress Party (MCP) president Lazarus Chakwera who is also leader of opposition in Parliament, have united for the cause.

Chisi (R): We are not making any progress
Chisi (R): We are not making any progress

“Economically, we are not making any progress, hence our wish to meet the President because we cannot accept to be carried in a bus that is heading towards a ditch… The ship is sinking and we don’t want to sink with it.

“So, as opposition bloc, we have decided to work together and advise government in the best way possible to save our lives and the nation. We are also advocating other people who believe in our cause,” said Chisi.

The bloc is expected to officially write Mutharika this week so that the meeting takes place immediately he returns from United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York, United States of America.

Chisi also said Mutharika and his Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) convinced more Malawians to vote for them, but that did not mean they have monopoly of wisdom to solve the country’s challenges.

He said: “The worst thing we can do to our nation is to create polarity where one group of people feels another group is not helping or is not interested in what is happening. We hope the leader of opposition and his team will also come on board, but on equal terms.

“Our economy has shown that if we stick to our current manifestos which have now become obsolete and irrelevant, we will not move this country forward, but if we put all of them together, we will make a difference.”

Chisi said it was up to Mutharika to accommodate them or not, but they would continue advocating what they believe is right for the nation.

In her remarks, Singh said they expect to offer constructive advice to Mutharika besides reminding him of the treaties he signed and all other commitments made together with other 2014 presidential aspirants to improve lives of Malawians.

Reacting to the news, Mutharika’s political adviser Francis Mphepo said in an interview the opposition’s move was welcome.

“The invitation has always been there for the opposition to come up with solutions to the problems and, if they have, let them write and send them to the President. Again, it’s not necessarily to meet him, let them document the proposals and send him,” he said. n

Related Articles

Back to top button