‘PP changes tune on independents’

The People’s Party (PP) has softened a stand on independent candidates by telling them to go ahead with their actions so long they campaign for Malawi President Joyce Banda.

When the President opened the cotton processing ginnery last Monday in Karonga, PP regional governor for the North, the Reverend Christopher Ngwira, said those who lost in primaries, but decided to stand as independents are welcome so long they campaign for President Banda.

To support his point, former deputy secretary general Frank Mwenifumbo, who was expelled from the party for standing as an independent after losing primaries, was given a place during the President’s function.

Mwenifumbo is one of the expelled members drumming support for Banda and the PP.

However, PP acting publicity secretary Ken Msonda said much as the party has not changed the stand on independents, their support for the President cannot be ignored.

“It is a known fact that the majority of independent candidates are encouraging their followers to vote for Banda. But our stand remains the same as our PC (provincial chair) was simply exercising his constitutional right to freedom of expression and opinion,” said Msonda.

But political and governance expert Henry Chingaipe has described PP’s action as double standards, saying it cannot welcome actions by the people it expelled.

“I believe that the decision applies to Mwenifumbo, but this is double standards.

“The decision was made to expel those that stood as independents and changing that approach is playing double standards,” explained Chingaipe.