Aford cannot win presidential polls—Chihana

Alliance for Democracy (Aford) national chairperson Enoch Chihana has said his party is weak and cannot win next year’s presidential polls; hence, his suggestion for the party to support incumbent Malawi President Joyce Banda’s candidature.

Chihana came under fire from some party leaders and followers when he told a rally in Rumphi last week that Aford would enter into coalition with the ruling People’s Party (PP) and support its presidential candidate in next year’s presidential polls.

But speaking in an interview yesterday, Chihana, who is also Minister of Youth and Sports, said: “Of course, there is need for Aford to be on its own, but in its current state, Aford is very weak. We cannot win the presidency. We are cheating ourselves.

“That is why I suggested the need to go into alliance with the ruling PP. We are still rebuilding the party in order to bring back the lost glory and we need to strategise in order to increase the party’s membership.”

Aford spokesperson Dan Msowoya dismissed Chihana’s sentiments, saying he has no authority to suggest or initiate an alliance with any party.

“That is not true. As Aford, we have not approached PP for coalition. It is the party that has to decide and not Mr. Chihana,” Msowoya was quoted as saying by Nyasa Times.

Added Msowoya: “What he said was an individual opinion and that cannot be the party’s position.”

He also said what Chihana did was a violation of the party’s constitution and the party will act on that.

During the rally, Chihana declared his interest to contest for the party’s presidency at a convention slated for April this year.