MZUZU: A great controversy has erupted within the Alliance for Democracy (AFORD), creating fears and uncertainties among its parliamentary and local government candidates, following remarks made by the party vice president, Timothy Mtambo.
Mtambo’s comments on ZBS, which many have interpreted as a sign of power hunger, taking party loyalists for granted, suggest that AFORD may form an electoral alliance with any political organization, including the Malawi Congress Party (MCP), despite having ideological principles that could potentially bail out Malawians from the current economic woes.
“AFORD is open to going into an electoral alliance with either the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) or MCP, provided we share common ideological principles to bail out Malawians from their economic woes,” Mtambo said.
The remarks have sparked debate, particularly after social media platforms earlier reported that AFORD president Enoch Chihana received K6 billion to enter into an electoral partnership with MCP, allegations that Chihana denied as baseless.
However, the recent resurgence of the K6 billion bribery allegation has reportedly frustrated many AFORD parliamentary and local government candidates, who have scaled down their campaign activities, citing the impact of what they describe as an unpopular decision by the party leadership.
“Our president must come out clearly on these unpopular innuendos. We are campaigning in very sensitive communities where anything to do with MCP is difficult to convince the electorate,” said one candidate, who opted for anonymity.
In response to Mtambo’s remarks, senior AFORD member Maurice Munthali wrote an article titled “The difference between AFORD & MCP, is like light and darkness,” emphasized that AFORD has never considered forming an alliance with MCP, citing the stark contrast between their principles and MCP’s governance record.
“The MCP’s propensity for short-changing Malawians, subjecting them to record misery, poverty, and socio-economic ridicule is there for everyone to see. The level of fiscal recklessness, cluelessness, and lawlessness smacks this government of a failed state, if not a Banana Republic,” writes Munthali.
Munthali, who served as Secretary General of Livingstonia Synod of the CCAP, added that AFORD prides itself on transparency, accountability, and the rule of law, and that an alliance with MCP would compromise their values and undermine the trust of their supporters.
In conclusion, Munthali urged AFORD supporters and well-meaning Malawians to reject MCP’s failed governance and choose a path that upholds democracy, fairness, and justice.
By Our Political Desk Reporter
