The main opposition Malawi Congress Party (MCP) has seen a boost in its fortunes following the rejoining of its prodigal members back into the fold. Included were Sosten Gwengwe who run with Joyce Banda as Vice President in their failed campaign, George Zulu, Abel Kayembe, Kalanzi Mbewe, Agnes Nkosankhoma and some Councilors.
Sosten Gwengwe until the time of defection to MCP was People’s Party potential 2019 presidential running mate, Zulu was deputy secretary general while Mbewe was former DPP’s central regional governor.
The prodigal sons announced their move during the political rally MCP President Dr. Lazurus Chakwera held on Sunday, July 26, 2015 at Kamwendo Primary School ground in the western district of Mchinji which aimed at addressing supporters on national issues affecting the country including laps of security, sale of Malawi Savings Bank (MSB), skyrocketing of prices in basic food items, failure of paying civil servants in time, collapsing of health service delivery in public facilities among others.
Speaking on behalf of the returnees, Zulu said they decided to rejoin MCP based on developmental agendas the party’s leadership has demonstrated to Malawians by questioning the current DPP’s way of running the welfare of the state. Many suspect that they see the end of the peoples party which has seen its leader and founder in ‘self-exile’ since losing the May 2014 elections as a sitting President.
“We decided to be back to MCP due to the sound leadership skills demonstration by Dr Lazurus Chakwera. It’s only him who can bail out Malawians from social-economic challenges the nation is facing. Simply put we are back home nothing strange in that only that we were lost.
“Thus, we are seeking for your forgiveness to all wrongs we did to the party by contributing to the loss during the last tripartite election. We are back to help building the party that come 2019, Malawi should have a leader who will lead all of us to the promised land”, said Zuru.
In his welcoming remarks, MCP President Chakwera expressed gratitude for the decision the returnees have made saying the new chapter for them was opened to start working together.
“This reminds me of the prodigal son in the bible. Therefore, I am welcoming you all back home where you belong. We have a big task to build the party. Its also my hope that we are to work together such old members must take you as your brothers and sisters as all of you are my children”, urged Dr Chakwera.
“The country faces many challenges”, Dr Chakwera said.
He also alluded to the collapsing of agricultural systems as a contributing factor to the slow economic growth. Our country relies on agriculture and only MCP has the keys to reverse the trend to the Promised Land.
Ken Msonda the ever optimist, reportedly said that he did not believe Gwengwe and the others violated any laws. They were only expressing their rights to associate with any political grouping of their choice in the country.
However many see this as the bitter end to Joyce Banda’s people party?
