By: Lloyd M’bwana
The former governing United Democratic Front (UDF)’s First Vice President Iqbal ‘Nthandizi’ Omar has challenged the party’s decision to fire him on grounds that he was forming parallel structures, saying his position remains intact that only convention could remove him from the party’s ranks and files.
Omar who is the business tycoon further criticized its leader Atupele Muluzi of sabotaging the party ranks with the decision in partnering with Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) describing the alliance as illegitimate which lacks foundation.
The former Lilongwe City South West law maker together with other two party officials including Zaituna Yusuf and Dinocius Magombo deputy director of women and central region governor respectively was on Friday, December 4, expelled from the party after National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting which he attended.
Addressing the news conference on Wednesday, December 9, at UDF central regional offices- Area 24 in the capital Lilongwe, Omar together with Magombo and five district governors drawn from Salima, Ntcheu, Nkhotakota, Dedza and Dowa challenged the party’s decision by firing the three saying Muluzu has lost leadership direction.
“Let me inform the nation and members that the said NEC meeting was between Omar and Atupele which had already prepared decision to expel me other two officials on grounds that we are forming parallel structures for another party using UDF which isn’t true.
“I have never done such a thing in my life. My job as a first vice president is to strengthen the party’s structures through rallies which I conduct in consultation with the Secretary General. What I have noticed it’s a personal vendetta on what I’m capable of.
“The problem is that our president doesn’t want to talk to me even failing to pick up phone calls not only the one but also most members in the party including Lucia Banda. So, with such tendencies how can you expect the party running when members at grass root want our voices? Therefore, the said NEC decision to expel us is in valid and that only the convention can remove me from ranks and files of the party”, challenges Omar.
Omar clearly said was not happy with UDF-DPP alliance saying the pact lacked legitimacy as its leader Utupele Muluzu did not make any formal consultation with members on how best such relation could work.
“We are not against with the alliance but the nature on how the pact was arrived at that only our president and few individuals are benefiting while the rest of the members left with nothing. What we actually against is the party’s leadership forcing members to join DPP and abandoning UDF. Isn’t it selling the party? We won’t accept this at all cost. UDF will remain as it entails”, challenges Omar.
Echoing on the same Magombo wondered why the party leader Atupele could fail to emulate how his father Bakili Muluzu was handling UDF alliances with other party saying his lacks vision which might kill the party.
“Any alliance UDF had with MCP, AFORD, the former president Bakili Muluzi used to consult us seeking members input which worked very well. So, what’s long with this young Muluzi? What party members are looking for its transparency on this pact nothing else otherwise expect nothing but total resistance”, stirs warning Magombo.
Adding his voice, Samuel Gotsera, UDF Dowa district governor disputed allegations that the said expelled officials were forming parallel structures saying they were strengthening the party.
“What’s wrong with the party vice president holding rallies in strengthening party structures? Since 2014 tripartite elections, our president has never organized a political party which we see at the grassroots level is deserting the party. If our president was some one else he could be happy that the party was kicking while was busy with DPP government”, suggested Gotsera.
