PP happy Chibwana quit

Malawi’s ruling People’s Party (PP) of President Joyce Banda has welcomed the resignation of its secretary general Henry Chibwana effective Sunday, saying the move redeems the party.

Chibwana has resigned from the position on grounds that he brought the party into disrepute for suggesting that Malawi is better off going back to a one-party State.

Chibwana refused to comment on his resignation in an interview on Monday.

“It is not necessary,” he said, when asked why change of his stance when he recently refused to apologise for the remarks that riled his party which later distanced itself.

In a statement monitored on Malawi Broadcasting Corporation (MBC) radio, Chibwana said he could no longer fulfil his duties in the wake of the controversial remarks which were widely condemned.

But he asserted that he was not forced to resign.

PP deputy publicity secretary Ken Msonda confirmed the resignation of Chibwana.

“You may recall that the remarks he made recently put the party into disarray. As a democrat, he thought of stepping down. We are proud of his decision,” said Msonda.

Msonda said PP is pondering Chibwana’s replacement, which the party will announce soon.

Chibwana, the former principal at The Polytechnic, a constituent of the University of Malawi, was deputised by Frank Mwenefumbo, George Zulu and Ireen Chikuni.

Political analyst Blessings Chinsinga described the resignation of Chibwana as a positive development which might redeem both PP and Chibwana’s personality.

“In a way, it redeems the People’s Party from the predicament it found itself in. The remarks created a big dent in the party’s image, especially when he stood by the remarks he made. He has preserved his integrity,” said Chinsinga.

But Chinsinga cautioned political party officials in the country to guard against the remarks they make at the political podium noting that “it is clear major political parties do not have clear messages of ideas.”

Chibwana courted controversy last week when he said it would not be a problem for the country to go back to one-party State as long as President Banda delivers on development.

But in a statement issued later, the party said the remarks Chibwana made should be regarded as personal views. Various political parties and analysts condemned the statement.