The church steered opposition Mgwirizano Coalition has proved to be a long meandering river with a very unclear ending that has eventually created so many in and outlets all resulting from thirst for power. As Wisdom Chimgwede reports, problems ranging from unpredictable minds within its ranks down to mistrust among the participants, have broken the opposition united front into a bunch of parallel branches apart from angering His Lordship Bishop James Tengatenga, the man at the helm of the coalition talks since last August. "My brother here and I will have no problems working together. We once worked together as joint commanders of the Malawi Young Pioneers," were Gwanda Chakuamba's sentiments after being voted Mgwirizano Coalition leader last week.
Although the grouping finally managed to elect Republican Party President Gwanda Chakuamba as its presidential candidate and PPM's Aleke Banda as his running mate, Movement for Genuine Democracy (Mgode) claimed the elections were staged. "We cannot be party to decisions that clearly want to undermine and undercut the north. We can't support a presidential candidate who doesn't have structures on the ground," said Mzuzu City MP Rodger Nkhwazi in support of his National Chairman Green Mwamondwe's announcement as they pulled out of the electoral process at the eleventh hour. The outspoken MP alleged the elections were already conducted behind curtains where his party's concerns were not taken into consideration. "There is no way you can have all the presidential candidates just based in Blantyre. We know other people there come from the north but they hardly stay there. We can't support that," charged Nkhwazi, adding that they would be making their next stand known as soon as possible. But already reports indicate the Aford splinter has already reached an advanced stage negotiating a bilateral alliance with NDA
Mwamondwe charged that the church leaders chairing the meeting could not give a convincing explanation as to why NDA and MCP the two opposition parties who have not signed the MOU, were not brought on board. And true to Mgode's fears that the elections were pre-arranged, a source who has always been part of the talks indicated a day before the election day (February 13) that Chakuamba had successfully lobbied his party members, Mafunde, MDP, NUP, and Mgode itself to support him to the highest position. Asked if this was true, Mafunde President George Nnesa who bowed down to give chance to his first Vice Collins Kajawa for reasons of regional balance said in an interview: "There is no problem with one lobbying. In fact every party president has been lobbying." He could not however, confirm or deny the pre-arrangement allegations saying nothing had been concluded yet.
Perhaps to confirm the allegations, Chakuamba produced a well phrased prepared speech when he was asked to make his maiden talk. According to our sources, Mgode had accepted to support Chakuamba as presidential candidate but were not ready to have Aleke Banda as a running mate because that thwarted their president, Sam Kandodo's wishes to have the second vice president position. Kandodo Banda and Aleke Banda all come from the northern region, the same district Nkhata Bay and worse still, from the same Nkhata Bay South Constituency. Kandodo has twice defeated Banda in parliamentary elections on the Aford ticket when Banda was still ruling UDF first vice president. Sam Kandodo has vowed to remain an MP of Nkhatabay South as long as Aleke Banda aspires to contest in that constituency following a long time feud.
The Memorandum of Understanding the seven parties signed on January 23, puts emphasis on regional balance the requirement that also crippled Mnesa's hands to contest for the presidency which was already reserved for Chakuamba, the 1999 losing candidate. Both Nnesa and Chakuamba come from the south and Mafunde opted for vice president Collins Kajawa to contest for Mgwirizano coalition's second vice presidency. Kajawa who comes from Lilongwe scooped the position. "The thing is that Nnesa is not power hungry that's why he voluntarily bowed down," said Radson Mnulo, Mafunde spokesperson. However, the source added, Mgode had already been assured the second veep the scenario that earlier angered Aleke Banda prompting him to threaten boycott if the elections went ahead on February 9, as initially scheduled. According to sources, Mgode's chances of booking themselves a seat upstairs were finally closed on February 12, when Tengatenga called for a sudden meeting with Chakuamba, Aleke Banda and Mafunde delegates after yet another meeting comprising all the seven parties.
It is reported that when Kandodo learnt of the meeting, he gate-crushed and fumed at Aleke Banda telling him that it was time he stopped arm-twisting. Aleke had earlier smelt the rat and quickly announced that PPM would not be part of the process claiming that they needed NDA and MCP to be taken on board. But, according to our sources, PPM is said to have changed statements in a closed door meeting later the same day as they panicked to explain their withdraw to a charged Bishop Tengatenga. Kholiwe Mkandawire, the coalition spokesperson confirmed in an interview that PPM's decision angered the bishop but was quick to say that the anger was rather generalised than personalised. "It is true the bishop was angry of course with everyone because he did not understand why the document that was worked on by all the parties had suddenly become a bitter pill to swallow to some parties," she said. "First was MCP and NDA who changed their positions at the eleventh hour now PPM and next will be all of you. You people must be serious this is not an individual job," Tengatenga is reported to have said.
However, when contacted for a comment, the bishop was rather diplomatic in his answering. He said: "No, no, no. Why should I be disappointed? That's what negotiations are all about." But speaking at the venue of the election, Tengatenga conceded that the road to the day has not been easy adding that it would have been good if NDA and MCP were convinced to come back into the boardroom. But he charged: "It's sad that they have considered their concerns more important than this. Anyway, it is noble for people to stand for what they believe in." To the delegates after the election of Chakuamba to the presidency, the bishop said: "We hope we are all bound today and that we shall all support the person chosen." In the elections, Chakuamba beat Aleke Banda and Petra President Kamuzu Chibambo. Aleke then contested for the running mate position against NUP president Harry Chiume and Mafunde's vice president Collins Kajawa, World Vision Malawi financial Controller.
Asked if he would be resigning from World Vision, the Financial Accountant said it was too early to decide. In another interview, Chibambo said he was not bitter that he failed to get one of the three top seats. "We are all part of the process and we shall support the leadership," he said. Grace Kathingo NUP vice president also assured the leadership of the party's continued support. In a separate interview, NDA Director of Information Salule Masangwi still maintained his party could not be part of the process that lacked accountability, justice and democratic principles.
Copyright © 2004 Malawi Standard. All rights reserved. Distributed by AllAfrica Global Media (allAfrica.com).