‘I am not to blame for DPP squabbles’
Democratic Progressive Party vice-president (South) KONDWANI NANKHUMWA, who is also Leader of Opposition in Parliament, has recently been at the centre of attention in the party’s ongoing squabbles. Our reporter LLOYD CHITSULO speaks to NANKHUMWA on some of the issues. Excerpts;
Q
. You are being blamed for causing confusion in DPP. What is your take on the blame?
A
. Blaming me for the problems in the DPP is nibbling on the wrong end of the rope and pretty much simplistic and unfair. And when they say I am not listening to leadership, which leadership? And what is it that I am not listening to?
Today, the party has reached a stage where a few other leaders can just wake up and make critical decisions or issue decrees on their without even consulting the party’s National Executive Committee or the rank and file, and thereafter christening their decisions as being from Peter Mutharika or the party. They call that leadership?
My conscience is clear on this because I believe I am on the side of the majority of our members who are the owners of the party. That is where I draw my thrust.
Q. Recently, an injunction was obtained against you by Mutharika’s spokesperson Shadric Namalomba. Are you moved?
A
. As Leader of Opposition, I am empowered by Parliamentary Standing Order 39 (4) to determine the seating plan of our MPs on the opposition benches. Using this provision, I made some adjustments to our seating plan.
It seems this may have infuriated Honourable Namalomba and I don’t know why. He got emotional and started making wild allegations. As to the level of currency in the allegations, you will have to ask him.
However, he was appointed spokesperson for Mutharika, and looking at how things are at the moment, one may suspect he is also answerable to the same clique. Should you, therefore, be surprised with his behaviour?
Q. Do you foresee these squabbles ending soon?
A
. DPP is a party undergoing a leadership transition. From experience, Malawian political parties often go through some kind of a storm during leadership change, and I guess it is just having its own moment.
One thing that I am sure about is that we will emerge stronger from this storm in one way or the other. We have the apparatus to rise from this, and surely we will, hopefully sooner.
Q. The party will soon be holding its elective convention. Do you expect a fair election process?
A
. I do not think there is a person without their own personal biases on any given issue. There are people within the leadership of our party that have their own preferred candidate to take over from Mutharika as party president.
Whereas that is okay and expected, it becomes a problem when they begin to change ground rules to give their preferred candidate an unfair advantage.
If this trend continues, I do not think we will have a fair election at the convention. However, I am positive that these people will come to their senses and ensure that the playing field is levelled for all candidates in line with our party constitution, and for the benefit of our supporters.
Q. What will it take for the party to unite?
A
. The leadership battle has been the main source of polarisation in the party as people are positioning themselves for the top position. This is normal in democracies anywhere in the world, but it needs strong leadership to ensure that the campaign for the presidency is not a source of conflict and enmity.
Rather, it must be a process that deepens our intra-party democracy. We need strong leadership in the DPP, which is impartial and focused on uniting the party, and take it to the next level of our democracy.
Q. Your final words?
A
. I would like to appeal to all our members and supporters across the country to continue rallying behind our party and not to be frustrated by these challenges.
I promise them that the DPP will emerge from this a stronger party and bounce back to power to rescue Malawians from the mess of the Tonse Alliance administration under President Lazarus Chakwera.
