Leadership battle hots up in Livingstonia Synod
Three senior clerics of the Livingstonia Synod of the Church of Central Africa Presbyterian (CCAP) are set to battle it out for the position of general secretary (GS) this Friday.
The Synod goes to the polls at Loudon Mission in Embangweni, Mzimba.
CCAP General Synod moderator the Reverend Timothy Nyasulu has confirmed his interest while incumbent deputy GS the Reverend Joseph Vaseline Mwale says he is waiting to be nominated at the meeting.
If nominated, the two will aim to dislodge incumbent GS the Reverend Levi Nyondo who has already served in that post for two terms, but there are hints he will seek a third term in office.
Yesterday, Nyondo refused to grant an interview on the elections, saying “the elections are a church issue and officials are not allowed to divulge information”.
On his part, Nyasulu, who is also synod director of education, said he believes he has qualities to hold the position and run the synod, owing to his vast experience.
He said if elected his task will be bringing integrity among church leaders and promotion of unity and evangelism in the church.
However, he refused to comment when asked if such qualities were lacking in the current leadership.
Nyasulu hinted that Nyondo might be interested in the position, but said it is up to him to confirm and state reasons for aspiring.
But he confirmed that the synod does not allow for a third term.
While there have been rumours that the candidates are embroiled in politics, with each aligning himself to either government or the opposition, Nyasulu said the synod has no connections with political parties.
On his part, Mwale said every minister in the church is eligible to contest, provided he gets nomination during the assembly.
He said: “I cannot deny or accept that I will contest in the election. Let us wait for the assembly and when I am nominated, we will see what happens. It is dependent on the will of those nominating me.”
The Livingstonia Synod is renowned for being critical of government, especially the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) administrations, due to the introduction of the quota system of selecting students into public universities, among others.
