…LL Central MP supports Finance Minister for SG bid
It’s getting hotter, more juicy, and more candid talk as the ruling party countdown to its elective convention now has less than 28 days left- party gurus are coming out to endorse their preferences, including the Chief Executive Officer for the party. Well, Finance Minister Simplex Chithyola Banda seems to get the loudest endorsements.
A party delegates poll shows that Chithyola Banda will likely win during the forthcoming party indaba edging incumbent Einshower Mkaka, whose tenure has faced accusations of isolating himself and failing to engage the party followers, especially when he is in cabinet.
The party’s electoral war has reached its peak. Three candidates, including the party’s Director of Strategic Planning, Christopher Chaima Banda, have emerged as contenders for the post of Secretary General.
Long-time Lilongwe Central MP and veteran Lobin Lowe has added flavour to the debate, saying party Secretary Generals “become deaf” once they are elected to positions of power and that it was time to support someone with proper people skills.
“Ndinfundo zawo, ndinaona kuti mwina titatenga njira iyiyi, chipanichi tikonza. Moti tikuwadalira kuti akhale munthu wa zitho, chifukwa tili ndi tsoka ndi SG mu chipanichi, amangoti akangotenga udindo uja sakunvanso. Mutayang’ana kumbuyo konseko tachokaku, amasanduka gonthi. Koma titayesayesa tawona kuti mwina uyuyu si gonthi,” said Lowe to cheers of the party delegates.
“Mpandowu ngothandiza bwana kuti aziyendetsa za dziko iwowa akuyang’ana za chipani, osati bwana aziyendetsanso chipani. Tidawayika,” added Lowe in a one-minute leaked clip.
According to MCP officials, the meeting took place on Friday.
The MCP base is in the central region, and veterans such as Lowe are seen as close to President Lazarus Chakwera, who designated him as Leader of the Opposition twice when the now-president took leave of parliament.
“Most parliamentarians are supporting Chithyola Banda, which is a majority. People like Lowe rarely speak. His statement sums up people’s frustrations with Mkaka and how the leadership fills in general. It looks like most post holders are unlikely to win at this convention,” said a party insider.
Chithyola Banda refused to speak on the leaked audio, simply saying, “There is a demand that I stand for the position of Secretary General. I didn’t decide on my own, only responding to calls of the party followers.”
The convention, slated for August 8 to 10, has already started dishing out nomination papers, closing on 15th July 2024. Fees for various posts range from the position of President at K 5 million, Vice President and Second President is at K 2.5 million each, Secretary General is at K 2 million, First and Second Deputies is K 1 million each, Treasurer General is K1 million, Second Treasurer General is K 1 million, Directors is K 500,000, and Deputy Directors is at K 250,000.
