Chaponda keen to unite opposition
Newly-appointed Leader of Opposition in Parliament George Chaponda says he is keen to unite the opposition bloc and work with others, including his predecessor Kondwani Nankhumwa.
Briefing journalists at Parliament Building in Lilongwe yesterday, he said under his leadership, Malawians should expect to see a strong and united opposition in Parliament that will work to promote their interests.
“Everybody was complaining that there is weak opposition. I will unite the opposition. We are already uniting together as the opposition bloc under my leadership,” said Chaponda.
On how he intended to work with Nankhumwa and other members of Parliament expelled from Democratic Progressive Party (DPP), he said as long as they agree on issues.
“Why not? He [Nankhumwa] has got his own party, so he will be speaking…. But we don’t know whether he would like to be on the opposition side. We don’t know, it is up to him,” said Chaponda.
He stressed that it was his wish to see an opposition that provides constructive criticism to government and not just oppose for the sake of it.
Nankhumwa, who currently leads the newly-formed People’s Development Party (PDP), did not pick up our calls yesterday.
However, PDP spokesperson Rhodes Msonkho said when he stepped down as leader of opposition, Nankhumwa indicated that he is ready to work with anyone who assumes the position.
In a separate interview, United Democratic Front (UDF) leader in the House Ned Poya said it is good to have the opposition work together, but emphasised that the issues should be of benefit to Malawians.
He said UDF always believes in working in the best interest of Malawians.
The DPP appointed Chaponda as leader of opposition in Parliament after Nankhumwa quit from the role and withdrew cases against the party.
