PP to decide on Mwenifumbo’s future

The People’s Party (PP) says it is yet to decide on the future of its deputy secretary general Frank Mwenifumbo following his decision to contest as an independent parliamentary candidate.

Mwenifumbo told The Nation on Wednesday that he is submitting a nomination paper on

Thursday to contest as an independent candidate for Karonga Central Constituency in the May 20 Tripartite Elections.

But Mwenifumbo said his decision does not mean he has quit PP, saying he “will never quit the party”.

PP secretary general Paul Maulidi, while refusing to comment on the issue in a separate interview, said the party is yet to discuss the matter.

“It is an issue that we need to discuss as a party because he has not told us anything. We just hear it from you. But as a party, we issued a certificate to Mwalwanda as our candidate,” he said.

A political analyst, Augustine Magolowondo, has since warned political parties that frustrated candidates who contest as independents can divide votes, thereby decreasing chances of a party to amass seats.

Mwenifumbo conceded defeat soon after PP primary elections in December last year where he lost to the Deputy Minister of Finance Dr Cornelius Mwalwanda. But in January, the party called for a rerun after Mwenifumbo logged a complaint. But they were cancelled later on.

“I have decided to contest because Mwalwanda did not follow the rules of the game during the elections. The party validated my complaint and endorsed a re-run, but he went behind my back to convince the chiefs that there will be bloodshed if they accept a rerun.

“He talked a language of war and people were afraid, that’s why they didn’t want a rerun. Now the same people have forced me to go independent and face this man [Mwalwanda] head-on,” claimed Mwenifumbo.

Mwenifumbo disclosed that he will be using PP ideologies in his campaign for the position.

“Of course, I recognise him as a PP candidate. But I understand he is there dubiously,” he added.

Apart from Mwenifumbo, former Aford publicity secretary Dan Msowoya has also indicated to contest on an independent ticket while not committing to quitting the party.