Bigwigs go unopposed in PP primaries
Twenty-five aspiring candidates for the ruling People’s Party (PP) in the Central Region, including presidential adviser Elias Wakuda Kamanga and several Cabinet ministers, have sailed through primary elections unopposed.
PP vice-secretary general George Zulu, who is also responsible for managing primaries in the Central Province, confirmed the figure in an interview yesterday.
But governance commentator, Chris Chisoni, said the development was an indication of lack of intraparty democracy as it indicated rubber-stamping or a culture of fear in the ruling party.
Observed Chisoni: “PP will participate in its first-ever [general] election and people contesting should face some form of a test. PP is assuming that it is only PP supporters who will make their candidates win, the party must grapple with knowing if their incumbent is likeable enough.”
But Zulu said the party concluded that the 25 go unopposed to represent PP in the parliamentary race because they were the only candidates who submitted nomination forms to the secretariat.
“We had set dates of 9 to 13 December to receive nomination forms from those interested to contest on a PP ticket, but we did not receive any from the 25 constituencies,” he said.
About seven of the women will go unopposed, including Zulu’s wife, Rachel Mazombwe Zulu who is the incumbent in Mchinji North Constituency. PP’s Central Province has 66 constituencies.
However, there is no such luck for former minister of Energy Cassim Chilumpha who will once again face competition from his old nemesis Fahad Assani in Nkhotakota South Constituency.
Assani was recently appointed as Minister of Justice, although he has not officially joined PP.
Minister of Defence Ken Kandodo also went unopposed in Kasungu Central Constituency.
Minister of Industry and Trade Sosten Gwengwe is also not facing competition from PP in his Dedza Central Constituency just like Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Abel Kayembe in Dowa West and Deputy Minister of Local Government Godfrey Kamanya in his Lilongwe Msozi South Constituency.
Minister of Home Affairs Uladi Mussa and Minister of Environment Halima Daudi also went in unopposed in their respective constituencies.
Among newcomers to the political scene who have gone unopposed are former journalist Happy Saka who seeks to represent PP in Dowa North Constituency and civil society activist Rodgers Newa in Kasungu North West Constituency.
Newly appointed presidential adviser on political affairs and communication, Wakuda Kamanga, will contest Kasungu North East Constituency.
Chipani chikakhala chochepa ochisatira ku dela limenelo zimakhala choncho. Eg kuti mupite ku mwera mukanene kuti ndiimira Mcp simukapeza mmodzi oti nkupikitsana naye. Tiyeni nazo.
Wachiyao Wangalusa, on that point I agree with you 50%. Am waiting to hear what the band of sycophants ably led by Thyolo Thava are going to say. Look and compare those who have already gone through in DPP and PP, you will see kuti mizwanya iri kuti and deya lirinso kuti.
This is a danger warning sign
Danger warning sign
This can only mean one thing, the party has no grass root support to warrant anyone to desire standing for the same!
This can only indeed mean that the party does not have suport,thats not many are willing to contest on its ticket and that the party is somewhat dictatorial at this stage,now what will happen after it rigs the vote,which it will certainly do,it will be outright dictatorial and …