MCP race hots up

Big guns have declared their interest to vie for positions of secretary-general (SG) as well as first and second deputy presidents ahead of the Malawi Congress Party (MCP) elective convention set for August 8-10.

From the list of nominations or expression of interest to contest, it is only President Lazarus Chakwera who faces no competition in the race for the party’s presidency.

However, the story is different for the position of first vice-president where Speaker of Parliament Catherine Gotani Hara, who is the incumbent deputy SG, is set to tussle against Minister of Homeland Security and party strategist Ken Zikhale Ng’oma as well as former first deputy speaker of Parliament Esther Mcheka Chilenje—who recently defected from opposition Democratic Progressive Party (DPP)—and Engineer Vitumbiko Mumba.

On the other hand, Minister of Water and Sanitation Abida Sidik Mia is so far the only contender for the second deputy president.

However, Minister of Information and Digitisation Moses Kunkuyu, who is MCP director of campaign, is non-committal on the position he is vying for, saying his name will be on either first or second deputy president ballot.

He said: “I am saying this because I am someone who believes in group work. It’s not about me being the first or second vice-president, and it’s not for my good, but for the good of the party.

“I am very okay being part of that team without aggrandizing myself.”

In a brief interview yesterday, Gotani Hara confirmed her intentions to to run for the first deputy-president post.

“It is true that I will be standing on the position of first deputy president of MCP,” she said, but added that she was “not comfortable to discuss any further details”.

Mumba, a seemingly new broom in frontline politics, said his focus was on uplifting the lives of the people.

“Yes, I confirm [that I will contest], but will outline my manifesto next week. But it’s centred on people over politics,” he said.

On her part, Mcheka-Chilenje, who boasted of having over 20 years of experience in politics, said she was courageous, humble and development-oriented.

Mcheka-Chilenje risks being barred from contesting as she has not held any position in MCP and has served less than two years as per the resolution of the MCP national executive committee (NEC) of February 28.

But she remained confident, saying: “Timusiye Mulungu akhale Mulungu [Let God be God].”

However, a case where MCP member Eddie Banda sued the party over the NEC resolutions, asking the High Court for an expedited hearing and determination of the matter, holds the fate of Mcheka-Chilenje and other newcomers.

Ng’oma, speaking through his spokesperson Chrispin Lwanja, also confirmed his intention to contest.

Lwanja said his boss will “unveil his manifesto at the MCP North South regional office on Wednesday [today]” in Mzuzu.

Mia in a separate interview confirmed that she will be contesting for the position of second deputy president, but could not shed more light yesterday, as she was travelling.

In the race for the position of SG, Minister of Finance and Economic Affairs Simplex Chithyola Banda, speaking through one of his campaign aides and parliamentarian Alfred Jiya, said he was geared to making the party vibrant.

“Honourable Chithyola Banda has already collected the forms and everything is in order and ready for a nationwide campaign. He is a person who can easily link the party headquarters and the government. Currently, the two are going parallel ways,” said Jiya.

Chakwera’s former aide, Chris Chaima Banda, also said he will submit his nomination forms this Thursday for the position of SG.

“I am a visionary and one whom the party needs as SG,” he said

The duo of Chithyola Banda and Chaima Banda will likely face incumbent Eisenhower Mkaka.

Meanwhile, Ernest Thindwa, an expert in electoral and identity politics, has urged MCP to make known the list of delegates in good time to avoid squabbles at the indaba.

“It is good for candidates to know beforehand who the delegates are. Due to some factors, some positions may be vacant for delegates, and that has to be known and if being filled, all candidates have to know,” he said.

Political Science Association of Malawi spokesperson Mavuto Bamusi in a separate interview also urged the MCP to ensure gender and regional balance. He also called for the need to incorporate the youth in the party’s ranks.

“Create a free and fair space for competition; don’t stop others from competing because you want to retain positions. Let me urge delegates to also look at calibre of people who understand the vision of this country,” he said.

During a press conference recently, convention chairperson Kezzie Msukwa announced that aspiring candidates would start collecting nominations from July 1 to July 15.

MCP is a key partner in the initially nine-party Tonse Alliance that ascended to power in the court-sanctioned fresh presidential election held on June 23 2020. The alliance featured Chakwera as presidential candidate with departed vice-president Saulos Chilima of UTM Party as his running mate.