North UTM members support Usi
Members of UTM Party in the Northern Region yesterday met party president and the country’s Vice-President Michael Usi and assured him of their support.
Clad in the party’s red regalia, the group of about 80 comprising ward councillors, regional, district and women representatives as well as delegations from Mzuzu University and UTM Youth Achievers, took turns to meet Usi.
The meetings held at Sunbird Mzuzu lasted for about four hours, but Usi refused to grant media interviews after the engagement.
Officials from the Office of the Vice-President described the meetings as private.
During his closed door meeting with the women representatives, Usi was overhead speaking about his relationship with departed UTM Party leader Saulos Chilima.
He said: “I was very close to the former Vice-President the late Chilima. And if there was anything, I would have been first to know.”
UTM Party councillor for Chiputula ward Hiwett Wiseman Mkandawire, who is also North-South region organising secretary, said the agenda was about uniting the party and its future.
Mzimba Luwerezi legislator Sam Chirwa, who is the party’s national deputy operations director, said there is no reason for division as the law is clear on succession matters.
“I support him 100 percent. He has our full support,” he said.
Commenting on the development and state of affairs in UTM, renowned political analyst Ernest Thindwa said the party was always going to struggle without its Chilima.
On the other hand, political commentator Wonderful Mkhutche said Usi remains party president but his future as leader is under threat with supporters actively looking for a new face and name to lead.
Chilima alongside eight others died in a military plane clash in Viphya Highlands in Mzimba on June 10 2024.
