Chakwera calls for fair play, slams handouts
President Lazarus Chakwera yesterday spoke out against the exclusion of certain candidates from participating in the ongoing Malawi Congress Party (MCP) convention in Lilongwe.
According to Chakwera, the party is inclusive and that all individuals wishing to contest for the national executive committee (NEC) positions should be allowed to do so freely.
The President’s remarks directly referenced a decision by the convention steering committee, which had previously barred at least 20 aspirants, from taking part.
In his opening address, Chakwera also condemned the culture of handouts that characterised the campaign for NEC positions, noting that such practices are prohibited by law and border on corruption.
He said: “It is sad that some have resorted to distributing money, making it seem like the MCP is for sale. I urge you, delegates, to perform your duties without fear.
“Whether you have been enticed with money or not, elect the right people who have Malawi’s best interests at heart.”
However, political analyst Wonderful Mkhutche believes that Chakwera’s sentiments are too little, too late, as some damage has already been done.
In an interview yesterday, Mkhutche indicated that the party’s laws need to be inclusive to ensure that the best candidates are selected.
“The issue with Mr. Vitumbiko Mumba was simply some individuals protecting their positions, which can harm the future of any party. We have seen this in other former ruling parties like UDF [United Democratic Party] and PP [People’s Party],” said Mkhutche
Lilongwe-based political observer, Chikondi Chidzanja, defended President Chakwera, arguing that a committee was entrusted with running the convention, and the President did not want to interfere.
He added that there have been instances in other political parties where presidents interfered with intra-party election processes, leading to splits and the creation of parallel structures.
“The committee itself blundered by setting up eligibility criteria because there is a precedent where people were free to contest without restrictions. If Chakwera had interfered, he would have been seen as taking sides.”
Commenting on the issue, social commentator Humphrey Mvula, in a telephone interview yesterday, pointed out that the MCP constitution does not grant its president the same powers as constitutions of other parties, such as UDF and DPP do.
Mvula believes that although Chakwera’s sentiments came late, he has managed to project a clear position.
He also explained that those managing political parties are mindful of opportunistic politicians; hence, the criteria to vet candidates.
In the address, Chakwera also refuted claims that he has favourites among the contestants, dismissing allegations that he has imposed some candidates.
In an earlier interview MCP spokesperson Ezekiel Ching’oma said that the party has no problem with some convention candidates, including Cabinet ministers splashing cash to woo votes as long as it is their personal “hard-earned funds”.
But the position expounded by Ching’oma contradicted the sentiments Chakwera made in his June 2020 inauguration speech that “time for handouts is over”.
Last month, The Nation reported that Minister of Finance and Economic Affairs Simplex Chithyola Banda handed out K500 000 to each of the 105 delegates he met in Lilongwe on July 5 2024. The money totalled K52 million and was in addition to the K30 million he spent in Mzuzu at another meeting.
The minister is vying for the position of MCP secretary general at the convention.
His Cabinet colleague Ken Zikhale Ng’oma of Homeland Security also disbursed about K45 million to delegates in Mzuzu.
