North not disappointed with Khumbo’s dumping—Ngwira

The People’s Party (PP) has said people in the Northern Region are not angry with President Joyce Banda’s decision to sideline Vice-President Khumbo Kachali on the position of running mate.

PP provincial chairperson for the North, Reverend Christopher Ngwira, made the remarks at a rally held at Bolero in Rumphi yesterday.

His remarks come a day after Senior Chief Mtwalo assured the President of the chiefs’ support following her decision to dump Kachali for Minister of Industry and Trade Sosten Gwengwe.

Said Ngwira: “You [the President] respected us people from the North for choosing our son Khumbo Kachali as vice-president for the party and the country. He is the first ever Vice-President for the country to come from the North.

“Some people are putting words in our mouth. They think that we are angry [for your dumping him]. We are not angry. Those who say we are angry are those who want to bring divisions in our party. They want to separate us.”

Speaking at the rally, the President defended her decision to choose youthful Gwengwe as her running mate.

She said her critics are afraid of the formidable force the two make.

“Those who say Gwengwe is a baby are afraid that issues concerning the youth and gender will flourish,” she said.