Analysts warn Chihana on alliance remarks

Political analysts have warned that remarks by Enoch Chihana risk confusing voters in his Rumphi Central Constituency.

Speaking to MIJ FM radio yesterday, Chihana said his constituents should vote for President Joyce Banda as president and him as member of Parliament for the constituency in the May tripartite elections.

“I have always said my choice for president is Joyce Banda and I tell my constituents that they should vote for her and me as parliamentarian,” said Chihana.

Banda belongs to People’s Party (PP) while Chihana still belongs to Aford although holding a Cabinet position in Banda’s government.

Some Aford members say there is no alliance between the two.

While political scientist Mustafa Hussein told The Nation in an interview that Chihana’s decision has the possibility of confusing voters in the area, Blantyre-based political analyst Simbarashe Mungoshi said the approach may lead to voter apathy.

Hussein said: “The good arrangement could be that of consulting his constituents, which I doubt he has done.”

Mungoshi, on his part, described Chihana’s move as a gamble, saying he is trying to please Banda who gave him a ministerial position soon after the death of president Bingu wa Mutharika.

After several attempts, Chihana could not be reached on his phone to comment on the views of Hussein and Mungoshi respectively.

But Chihana is quoted in the media as claiming that he consulted his constituents to join an alliance.