The Alliance for Democracy (Aford) has suddenly risen from freefall, giving hope that it is back on the mend. In the June 31 by-election in Karonga North West Constituency, the party put up a flowery campaign; decorated its newly-acquired vehicles and lavishly splashed party cloths to woo voters. Some have suggested that Aford’s financial standing has been boosted by MCP, the main party in the governing Tonse Alliance. Our Staff Writer SUZGO CHITETE speaks with Aford president Enock Chihana on this and more big issues:
Aford signed up to the Tonse Alliance. How do you stand as a party?
We are progressing and we are also facing some turbulence which is expected when you are revamping the party. But despite the turbulence, we are moving forward and I am happy about that.
Revamping Aford? What do you mean by that?
We have four phases and the first one was the visibility part which we have done, including registration to comply with the new Political Parties Act. The second is the restructuring phase where we are going into rural areas to take the party to the people. And that will take us to the third phase, which is holding conferences at district level and then nationally. I mean the convention.
After we are done with that phase, we will identify candidates in all constituencies and then reposition ourselves for the general election in 2025. So, the final phase is where we are preparing for the next tripartite elections.
There is a lot of talk about Aford. From nowhere you seem to have resources such as branded cars, new offices in Area 47 in Lilongwe and branded cloths for your party followers. Where are you getting the money?
Aford does not have money, but we plan properly out of the little we have. We may not have so much, but we have something to push us to the next level.
There is speculation that Aford is bankrolled by MCP or Prophet Shepherd Bushiri to restore your grip on the North, percieved as the stronghold of Vice-President Saulos Chilima’s UTM Party. How do you explain this?
Both of those have their own problems to mind about Aford. You know Bushiri has his own problems with court cases and other things. MCP has its own problems, so I do not think they will have time to fund Aford. We also have our own problems. I do not think we can be financing each other at this stage, but maybe in future if Bushiri is fine we will welcome his support. The same with MCP if they think they can start funding us in future, we will appreciate the gesture.
Who are your funders?
Most of the funds come from me, with some small business I do and, of course, some well-wishers. Just last week, we had a well-wisher buying us some party materials and fuel. But most of the funding comes from me as the party president.
There are two main alliance partners—MCP and UTM. Where does your loyalty lie between the two?
In 2019, we were in alliance with UTM. Then, after that, there was a fresh presidential election ordered by the courts and fresh negotiations started. Every party was free to join the alliance and we did not come through any other party, but by ourselves. Aford joined the alliance on its own.
There are suggestions that you are being groomed for a running mate and perhaps Vice-Presidency to MCP leadership. Should we take this rumour seriously?
Tonse Alliance is not a party. These are different political parties with their own leadership. No one can groom me for I am President of my own party. One day, I will be a presidential candidate and why can you not ask me if I am grooming [MCP leader Lazarus] Chakwera or somebody to be my running mate? This is not true, Chakwera has his own people he may wish to choose from in 2025, which is far from now. Two, Aford has its own way of doing things, so does MCP. Ours is just an electoral alliance up to 2025 and what comes after that only God knows.
