Pro-Chilima team goes to Neno
Some members of the governing Democratic Progressive Party’s (DPP) national governing council (NGC) on Thursday met Neno South Constituency committees to discuss Vice-President Saulos Chilima’s endorsement.
During the meeting led by DPP organising secretary (South) Henry Matemba at Ligowe in the district, some members of the party’s district committees sought clarification on why the party should allow Chilima to contest at the party’s convention when the DPP constitution stipulates that the president must be allowed to serve his two terms (10 years) before his deputy can take over.
Some of the members who attended the meeting also wondered if they could trust Chilima to carry on with development projects that are currently being implemented by President Peter Mutharika.
Referring to what happened with former president Bingu wa Mutharika who formed the DPP after ascending to the presidency on a United Democratic Front (UDF) ticket, the audience also wondered if Chilima could be trusted enough to remain in DPP once he takes over power.
In his reaction, Matemba assured the constituents that if they support Chilima, he will carry on with all projects and remain in the party.
In a separate interview after the meeting, district constituent director Kelvin Desmond said there is need for Chilima to be allowed to contest at the party’s convention so that people should know that there is democracy within the party.
He said: “The only way is to allow the Vice-President to contest at the convention. This will prove to people out there that there is indeed democracy in our party.”
In another interview, DPP area chairperson Eric Dambe urged DPP leadership to call for a convention.
Said Dambe: “The party must as quickly as possible set a date for the convention. We as members of the party are of the view that if the party holds a convention at the soonest time possible, then we will be able to select our leader of choice.”
But Chilima has always maintained his silence over the issue. On the contrary, some DPP executive members have openly endorsed Mutharika for the presidency.
The Neno meeting was attended by about 70 members from the district committees.
In recent weeks, similar meetings have been held in Mulanje and some districts in the Northern Region.
