High Court clears Ng’oma in MCP candidature fight

The High Court in Mzuzu has dismissed an application by  Letinay Nkhata for an order to stop Malawi Congress Party (MCP) director of strategic planning Ken Zikhale Ng’oma from contesting in Nkhata Bay South constituency on MCP ticket.

Nkhata, who was Ng’oma’s rival in the primary elections, dragged her competitor and MCP to court after the party settled for Ng’oma as its candidate in the constituency following irregularities in the poll.

She applied for an order to stop Ng’oma from presenting nomination papers as MCP candidate, arguing the primaries were not

conducted.

However, the High Court has maintained Ng’oma as the party’s candidate for the constituency.

Speaking in an interview yesterday, Ng’oma’s lawyers John and Tenson  hailed the court’s position, adding  Ng’oma is free to present nomination papers and the party can count on him as its candidate.

“I am very excited and I thank God for fighting for me. We have come along way,” said Ng’oma adding that Nkhata is free to contest as an independent candidate.

When contacted, Nkhata said she could not speak as she was driving to Lilongwe from Mzuzu.

MCP director of elections Kondwani Phiri said the fight had the potential to affect the party when fielding a candidate for the constituency. n