PP defends appointment of Mijiga as JB adviser

Ruling People’s Party (PP) has defended President Joyce Banda’s appointment of Steve Mijiga as presidential adviser on strategy and resource mobilisation.

Mijiga nearly caused an upset at the PP’s maiden national conference held in Blantyre from Monday to Tuesday before he withdrew from the race to pave the way for Mzuzu-based businessperson Harry Mkandawire.

PP secretary general Henry Chibwana in an interview on Wednesday argued that the role of Mijiga is not in conflict with the work of the treasurer general, Mkandawire.

“There is no conflict. His [Mijiga] major responsibility is to spearhead fund-raising. The treasurer general receives what somebody has made and saves the money. The two are separate.

“This is a position at the discretion of the appointing authority. He will be working at the party, but he will be adviser to the President,” he said.

In closing the conference, Banda, among others, pleaded with Mijiga to help the party in another capacity of strategist and resource mobiliser. Mijiga was also appointed as head of finance for the party.