Lucius accused of harbouring UDF presidential ambitions

The United Democratic Party (UDF) says it has stopped supporting Balaka North member of Parliament (MP) Lucius Banda following his continued disrespect of the party authority.

Speaking during a press briefing held on Friday in Balaka, UDF national executive committee member Anafi Juma said the party will do everything possible to bar Banda from contesting the 2019 General Elections on the UDF ticket.

“We are well informed that he [Banda] is vying for UDF presidency and that he has already started doing underground campaigns across the country,” he said.

Juma said Banda wants to mislead UDF and form another party, but the party will not allow that to happen. 

However, in an interview, Banda dismissed the accusations that he is vying for the party’s presidency, saying those saying so are being paid by the UDF leadership to fight him.

He also said he makes decisions after consulting UDF party officials at all levels.

“My constituency governor is my principal secretary who tells me what to do and that is the one who can tell the truth on what is happening in the constituency,” Banda said.

Balaka North UDF constituency governor Clement Mandala said they advised Banda not to join government benches in Parliament as the DPP/UDF relationship is unclear. n