Tag Archives: Malawi Congress Party (MCP) vice President Sidik Mia

Law and order, Politics, Top News

MCP VIP Mia pens Homeland Security Minister Dausi, IG Jose for Msondole  unpalatable scenes

Maravi Post Reporter

BLANTYRE-(MaraviPost)-The main opposition Malawi Congress Party (MCP) Vice President Sidik Mia on Monday penned the Minister of Homeland and Security Nicholas Dausi and his deputy Charles Mchacha, Inspector General of Police Rodney Jose over the fracas that occurred at Msondole in Zomba after the police tried to stop Mia rally.

The police argued that Mia’s rally could not be held saying President Peter Mutharika was passing by.

Eventually, angry MCP supporters to chase away the officers where eventually the rally was held.

But in a press statement made available to The Maravi Post to both Dausi and Jose, the MCP VIP advises the duo that Malawi Police is not a political wing of the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) that can be used to abuse other political parties.

Below is the full Mia statement;

TO MINISTER OF HOMELAND SECURITY, INSPECTOR GENERAL OF POLICE AND MCP SUPPORTERS ACROSS THE COUNTRY

 

Honorable Nicolas Dausi and Charles Mchacha,

Malawi Police is not a political wing of the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) that you can use and abuse for political expediency. What happened yesterday, unleashing the Police to attempt to disrupt our rally at Zomba Msondole, was absurd.

 

It must be put on record that you will solely be held responsible for any blood spillage if you continue with this thuggish use of the police to disturb peaceful people from exercising their right to freedom of association and/or lawful assembly as enshrined under section 32(1) of the republican constitution.

 

The President was due to travel using Zomba road to Mangochi— about 20 to 25 kilometers from where we were conducting our rally. It was therefore flimsy and outrageous to claim that such a rally posed a security threat to the President. This abuse of the police must stop.

 

TO THE INSPECTOR GENERAL OF POLICE,

Malawi Congress Party (MCP) is a law abiding establishment. We are law abiding people. The Malawi Police, of which you are the Inspector General, is for all of us Malawians—whether those in government or those in opposition.

 

We expect professionalism from you and your men. Please don’t bow to senseless orders calculated at advancing partisan interests of the DPP. Do your job professionally and in a nonpartisan manner. You are our sons and daughters. Be loyal to the Malawi flag and not the DPP.

 

I must therefore thank your men for retreating when they attempted to disrupt our rally. They saw no merit in pursuing such a senseless operation. They must be commended.

 

TO OUR SUPPORTERS ACROSS THE COUNTRY,

I want to assure you that we will not be intimidated. We are law abiding citizens and we will strongly challenge those who are hell-bent on abusing state institutions to pursue their political agenda.

 

As most of you are aware, we stormed Mponela Trading Centre, Chambwe and Chilowamatambe with whistle-stop tours before a big rally at Kasungu Community Ground on Saturday. On Sunday, we were in Balaka before storming Zomba Msondole. We are moving forward and we will not be discouraged. Rest assured that we will leave no stone unturned until we restore sanity in the country.

 

Pray for us. Pray for our Police. Pray for peace.

 

May God Bless Malawi.

Sidik Mia

MCP Vice President

Politics, Top News

Mia ‘seals’ Shire Valley, says won’t contest as MP; DPP aspirant in Nsanje North defects to MCP

Lloyd M’bwana

Malawi Congress Party (MCP) Vice President Sidik Mia disclosed that he has identified influential candidates to contest on his MCP ticket in the Shire Valley where he comes from.

Mia was speaking during a press conference he conducted on Monday afternoon in Blantyre where he was welcoming a Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) shadow Member of Parliament for Nsanje North Constituency, Enock Chazuzu.

Chizuzu said had decided to dump the ruling DPP after receiving pressure from chiefs and his people to join forces with the Lower shire baron, Mia, if his dream of going to Parliament in 2019 is to be realized.

“They told me to join MCP if I am to win in 2019 and who am I to say no to the people’s wish,” said Chazuzu who was accompanied by his Constituency Chairperson, three other executive members of the constituency and the Area Development Committee Chairperson.

Taking his turn, Mia said was courting Chazuzu for a long time and was pleased that he has finally joined MCP.

“He is a quality candidate and so far a frontrunner in the constituency and I am glad that he has joined MCP,” said Mia adding that he has now “sealed” the shire valley with his joining MCP—meaning that there is now no vacancy in terms of aspirant(s)in any constituency in the two districts of Nsanje and Chikwawa.

In an interview, the members of the press asked him to explain on a number of issues facing the party in the southern region.

Put to him if he will contest in any constituency in the country as MP following the announcement by his wife Abida Mia that she will contest in Chikwawa Mkombezi, a Constituency he has been MP for a decade, Mia was unequivocal in his response saying he will not contest in any constituency in the country as he is and will be too busy criss-crossing the country to canvass support and garner votes for MCP Presidential candidate Dr Lazarus Chakwera.

According to Mia, his mission is to help push Dr.  Chakwera to be Malawi president in 2019 and observed therefore that he would do the people of Chikwawa Mkombezi constituency “a great injustice” to be their member of parliament when he knows that he will not be fully dedicated to them.

“They need someone who will be committed to them 100% and Abida Mia who has been helping me run the constituency when I was MP for the area, is in my view, the right person for the job. Interestingly, she has been endorsed by Chiefs and many people in our constituency, so let her try her luck,” said Mia.

Quizzed on when primary elections will commence in the southern region, the vice president said the exercise will commence in 14 days’ time and he assured the media that all aspirants will undergo the exercise saying that his party elects its leaders across the board democratically.

“You know even our own  president Dr Chakwera underwent primary elections in his constituency, so no one will be spared of this exercise—even if there is no challenger, primary elections will still be conducted,” said Mia.

Put to him to gauge the strength of the party in the southern region about a year now since he joined the party, Mia said the party is now visible, competitive and attractive not only in southern region but also in the northern region, not to mention central region.

Mia then disclosed that MCP will feature all the 193 parliamentary candidates in 2019 including ward councilors candidates as well.

He mentioned Mangochi central region where he said the party has about 6 shadow MPs who want to contest under the MCP ticket as a sign of the attractiveness of the party. Mia also cited the case of Blantyre where he said there are about three to more contestants in almost each of the constituency where they preparing to battle it out during the primary elections—a true indicator of the party’s strength, competitiveness   and attractiveness.

Vice President Sidik Mia, an excellent orator and an experienced politician, whom many political commentators, have credited him of revamping MCP in the populous southern region thereby boosting the MCP’s chances of making it to state house in 2019, is widely seen as the defacto running mate to the party’s presidential candidate, Dr Lazarus Chakwera.

Politics, Top News

Sidik Mia on state of preparedness meetings warms up Lunzu district governors

Maravi Post Reporter

BLANTYRE—The main opposition Malawi Congress Party (MCP) Vice President Sidik Mia on Wednesday met the party’s  district governors in Vera Chelewani’s Blantyre North West Constituency for ‘a one-two, one-two testing-testing meetings,’ gauging the preparedness of the leaders, ahead of the 2019 watershed  elections.

The party governors were drawn from the main body of the party, the women wing as well as the youth wing. Lunzu was the venue and the leaders turn up in their large numbers to hear from their workaholic Veep.

Mia, who is leaving no stone unturned in their quest of liberating the country from this corrupt gang masquerading as leaders, arrived to a thunderous welcome with the party leaders chanting songs of assurance that the country’s mother party is once again poised to liberate the motherland from these plunderers.

In his address, Mia said he came to monitor the state of preparedness by the party’s leadership in the constituency ahead of the 2019 elections period.

He assured the governors that there is no one capable of bailing Malawi from the current mess of corruption, nepotism, tribalism, cronyism and indecisive leadership apart from the charismatic and eloquent MCP President, Dr Lazarus Chakwera.

Mia lamented the myriad problems facing the country, chief among them being the high unemployment rate among the youth.

The MCP’s second in command, who is widely seen to be Chakwera’s running mate in 2019, said MCP under his President “stands ready to create a better Malawi for all.”

The district governors assured the Veep that they will work round the clock to give Dr Chakwera the required votes and more importantly to usher their ‘darling’ shadow Member of Parliament, Vera Flamingo Chelewani, into parliament.

After the speeches, Mia dressed all the governors in the much sought party cloth (Zitenje) and t-shirts where they have emblazoned Chakwera and Mia’s images. Chakwera and Mia’s pictures on the MCP t-shirt perhaps is an indication that it is a forgone conclusion that Chakwera, just like he did with  his Veep in 2014, will partner with his current Veep Mia, in the 2019 elections.

Politics, Top News

Road to 2019: Mama Abida Mia to energize MCP’s ‘Red Rose’ youths in Blantyre tomorrow

Maravi Post Reporter

BLANTYRE—Barely two days after she interacted with University of Malawi’s Polytechnic Students right on their own campus, strategizing with them and giving them party materials ahead of the watershed 2019 elections, Mama Abida Mia, wife to Malawi Congress Party (MCP) Vice President Sidik Mia will tomorrow be meeting ‘Red Rose’ party youths in Blantyre to get them set and ready for the 2019 showdown.

Mama Mia, a very courageous woman, is leaving no stone unturned in helping her husband and by extension the entire party, win the Presidency in 2019.

Recently, a video clip went viral on the social media where she solely stormed the streets of Blantyre city, distributing party materials to Minibus as well as taxi-drivers.

And on Sunday, she wowed the polytechnic students in a closed door interaction with them right on their campus where she encouraged the intellectuals to play a role both on campus as well in their respective homes to help woo people to support and eventually vote for the party in 2019.

In an interview, the Chairperson of MCP ‘Red Rose’ youths Henry Dokowe Baza said the party youths will meet tomorrow for a strategy session and that they have invited Mama Mia to talk and encourage them as a guest of honour.

“This is time to be sharing notes and putting all plans in place for 2019. We can’t leave it to the senior party leaders alone, we also need to do our part and it’s important that we come together and strategies,” said Baza.

On why they invited Mama Abida Mia as guest of honour, Baza said Mama Mia has a unique skill of working the youth.

“She has been to Chancellor College and last Sunday she was at Polytechnic. This simply shows that she values the power of the youth in politics and we also want her to energize us hence this invitation.”

Malawi, Top News

Sidik Mia’s independence speech rebukes MBC’s ethical neglect

Special Absalom

BLANTYRE—(MaraviPost)-The main opposition Malawi Congress Party (MCP) Vice President, Sidik Mia, has asked Malawi Broadcasting Corporation (MBC) journalists to reflect on their professionalism as the country is celebrating the 54th year of self-rule.

Mia, who is an undisputable Malawi’s political heavyweight, said despite having some progress in some areas like in infrastructure, the country is still facing challenges that outweigh what has been achieved since the country attained its independence.

Mia cited abuse of the state broadcaster- MBC- by the ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) where journalists have been completely dressed the party’s cloth.

He said it is retrogressive for what we call the fourth arm of government to have journalists who spend sleepless nights thinking about what insults to spit at the opposition parties, MCP in particular.

“Since our party, the Malawi Congress Party (MCP), brought independence in our country as led by the father and founder of our nation, Ngwazi Dr Hastings Kamuzu Banda to the present time, it would be unfair and crime against truth to say that the country has achieved nothing,” said Mia.

“At least there is something to smile at. There is some progress in road infrastructure in the country, among other achievements we have achieved. Truth be told, all governments after independence have done a fair job in as far as improving our road network is concerned. This is commendable and we need to part ourselves on the back for this. Not all is lost,” he added.

He, however, agreed with the citizens who say that there is nothing to smile about on this day, arguing their point makes more sense if we look back with clarity and objectivity at the real trajectories in our social, economic and political life.

“Well, let’s examine one last thing we cannot smile about and this is the thing which has touched my heart to make this post. That’s the lack of media ethics and professionalism which has rocked our state controlled Malawi Broadcasting Corporation (MBC).

“As we all know, MBC is a public broadcaster. The workers therein are paid by our tax payers’ money as they are mandated to work for the good of the general public. The broadcaster run on government pulse. As such, Malawians expect non-partisan as they execute their duties. To be impartial in their operation, it’s not a choice but an obligation.

However, under DPP regime, this is not the case. Few MBC workers have voluntarily decided to throw their professionalism and reputation to the dogs. They proclaim and identify themselves as ruling DPP cadets and so they show this character in their words and conduct,” said Mia.

Mia’s stand comes few days after MBC journalists were seen taking a selfie while admiring the DPP flag at the party’s elective convention.

The ruling party is also using Hope Chisanu, who is duly employed by MBC, as master of ceremonies and the journalist divert from his duty several times in his attempt to please the leadership.

Alternatively, Mia said MCP, once ushered into government, will flush-out all partisan journalists at the state broadcaster.

“Those who will be showing signs to be MCP zealots will also be flushed out. We want complete independence and impartiality of MBC and we will not settle for anything short of that. If we want a master of ceremonies for a political party, we better have a party official than to destroy the career of a professional journalist by forcing them to shout party slogans and attack our opponents,” he said.

“So as we celebrate this independence, my free and unsolicited advice to you members in the media fraternity across the board is that you should safeguard your professionalism, reputation and credibility and never allow politicians to use and abuse you. If you allow to be used and abused for a politician’s short gains, you will find yourself not competitive in the long run as the industry captains will be at pain to give you a job,” advised Mia and concluded saying “I have no doubt in my mind or fear in my heart that we can do what is required to make our public institutions vibrant and serve the nation’s interests.”

Malawi, Politics, Top News

MCP Veep Sidik Mia embraces digital world; launches personal website

Maravi Post Reporter

The main opposition Malawi Congress Party (MCP) vice president Sidik Mia is in the league of his own in as far opening up to Malawians at home and abroad is concerned as he launched his own personal website on Sunday.

“Please have a look and feel of my personal website, www.sidikmia.org. This site compliments the Facebook Page I run, the twitter account with twitter handle @SidikMia which I have as well as the You Tube Account with username Sidik Mia,” wrote Mia on his facebook page.

He added: “As you will appreciate, all these—Facebook Page, Twitter as well as You Tube Accounts—have been embedded to this website hence giving them the official touch. What it means is that any social media account not connected to my website is not official and should therefore be treated with the contempt that it deserves.”

Mia said he decided to be on the social media as one way of making himself easily accessible to all and sundry.

“I know you also have great views regarding the future of our country and we can easily compare notes if we, your leaders, make ourselves easily accessible to you.

“I look forward to continued productive interaction with you an all these platforms,” concluded Mia.

On the road to 2019, Mia is leaving no stone unturned in mobilizing support for his party. Being a grass root campaigner himself, Mia is also taking advantage of social media to interact with the youthful audience, which oftentimes do not attend political rallies, right in their mobile gadgets.

“It is quite appealing to the senses. No one of your caliber has ever done that. Proud of you as you always strive to crush any barrier to socialization,” commented Thokozani Sainani in review of Mia’s site.

Another reviewer Peter Mac Jessie applauded Mia saying his gesture is one way of promoting access to information.

“This is a very great development mainly in this digital era. You’re the leader who’s promoting access to information,” he said.

The social media is proving to be an effective campaign tool to in this digital world. For instance, the then US Presidential Candidate Donald Trump, effectively used twitter to energize his support base and dismiss fake news being peddled against him by the mainstream media. Experts argue that social media played an integral role to Donald Trump’s election as President of the United States of America.

Malawi, Politics, Top News

Mia says Chakwera has all the qualities to lead Malawi; Road to 2019

Special Absalom

EKWENDENI-The main opposition Malawi Congress Party (MCP) Vice President Sidik Mia says his boss President Dr Lazarus Chakwera has all the qualities to take Malawi to greater heights.

Mia was speaking on Saturday during the first post convention rally the party conducted at Ngazi ground, Ekwendeni in Mzimba district.

The MCP second in command said that Chakwera is a God fearing leader Malawians desperately need to fix the country.

“We have rampant corruption in government. The state vice president has even admitted that their government is riddled with corruption and that this evil has reached levels like it has never been seen before.

“I assure you that it is only Chakwera who will fix this mess,” said Mia amid applause from the mammoth crowd.

Mia said it was sad to note that corruption has eaten the fabric of the nation such that people have now legitimized the culture of corruption as a way of doing things in the country.

“To get something you need to bribe someone; we cannot continue doing things this way,” said Mia who told President Chakwera to be hard on corruption

On his part, Chakwera assured the crowd that he will not tolerate corruption arguing people are suffering in the country because a few people are stealing resources which would otherwise benefit a lot of Malawians in the hospitals, in our universities and in many other sectors.

Chakwera said Malawians should entrust him because he is the only “real deal” for the country in 2019.

During the rally, Party Secretary General Eisenhower Mkaka officially announced full National Executive Committee (NEC) members. The MCP convention gave powers to Chakwera to fill some vacant positions as the convention couldn’t do that due to time limitations during the convention.

The fully constituted MCP NEC is as follows:

MCP NEC MEMBERS

Presidents
1. Lazarus Chakwera
2. Sidik Mia
3. Harry Mkandawire

Secretary General
. Eisenhower Mkaka
. Catherine Gotani Hara
. Salim Bagus

Organizing Secretary
. Khumbize Chiponda
. Gift Daftar
. Aram Beza

Treasure General
. Albert Mapondela Mbawala
. Rhino Chiphiko
. Halima Daud

Legal Advisors
. Titus Mvalo
. Larry Lita
. Maxwell Thyolera

Publicity Directorate
. Maurice Munthali
. Ezekiel Chingoma
. Kondie Msungama

Political Affairs
. Max Kalamula
. Chikumbutso Hiwa
. Owen Simwaka

Women Directorate
. Patricia Nkanda
. Florence Kanyoni
. Ruth Chenda

Youth directorate
. Richard Chimwendo
. Blessings Chilembwe
. Mathias Mgemezulu

Elections Directorate
. Elias Chakwera
. Nodia manda
. Francis Chiwanga

Campaign
. Moses Kunkuyu
. Loveness Gondwe
. George Zulu

Research
. John Paul
. Omar Kaisi
. Hon. Karim

Economic Affairs
. Cornelius Mwalwanda
. Sosten Gwengwe
. Edward Governor

International Relations
. Thomas Bisika
. Edgar Chipalanjira
. Olivia Liwewe

Social
. Maureen Bondo
. Lawrence Malemia
. Gerald Kazembe

Public Relations
. Alekeni Menyani
. Juliana Kaduya
. Elia Kamphinda Banda.

Recruitment
. Hellen Chabunya
. Peter Mazizi
. Wazamazama Katatu

Strategic Planning
. Zikhale Ng’oma
. Ken Kandodo
. Kelita Kanyandula

Religious Affairs
. Sheikh Muhammad.
. Maria Antonio
. Mkandawire Patrick

Coomiittee members
. Mcdonald Lombola.
. Samuel Kawale.
. Chrissie Chigawa
. Bennex Mwamlima
. Horace Chipuwa.
. Anthony Mukumbwa
. Anthony Lwanda.
. Juliana Lunguzi
. Makowa Mwale
. Dorothy Chirambo
. Lingson Belekanyama
. Jean Sendeza
. Alfred Mwenifumbo
. Enock Kanyimbiri
. Yongo wa Yongo

Malawi, Politics, Top News

MCP Vice President Sidik Mia energizes party leaders in Chikwawa: ‘We’re fired up and ready to go’

Maravi Post Reporter

CHIKWAWA-(MaravPost)-Malawi Congress Party (MCP) Vice President Sidik Mia on Sunday interacted with over two thousand party leaders, drawn from Chikwawa district, at his residence in Ngabu.

Mia said he organized the meeting in order to energize the party leaders and get them fired up for the big task in 2019.

Writing on his official facebook page, Mia said “the party leaders are ready to rumble!”

“I told the leaders to be self-starters and must have the capability to do party work here with minimum supervision from me. I pointed out that as Vice President of MCP, I have a huge responsibility to criss-cross the length and breadth of this country to drum up support for our dear President Dr Lazarus Chakwera. That means they have to be independent and do the job without my thorough supervision,” said Mia.

He then announced that he will be contesting as a Member of Parliament (MP) in Chikwawa Nkombezi who praised the fantastic people of Chikwawa Nkombezi for entrusting him to be their Member of Parliament for many years.

“Until when I voluntarily decided not to seek re-election in 2014, the fantastic people of Chikwawa Nkombezi Constituency have been sending me to Parliament for many years and I am indebted to them,” said Mia.

The MCP deputy President then urged people to get ready for voter registration exercise which the Malawi Electoral Commission (MEC) will commence very soon.

“The first step to usher in a new era in Malawi is to register en-masse as voters and when MEC commences voter registration, I urge you all to do the needful

“You have heard us submitting that we need to reboot the system and start afresh in 2019. We can only do that if you get registered as a voter. We can only do that if you will go vote on 21st May, 2019.

“As your leaders, we are fired up and ready to rumble! Our mission as MCP is to create a new Malawi enjoyed by everyone. We therefore need your unwavering support to do so,” concluded Mia.

Malawi, Politics, Top News

‘Chiwanga legacy to continue,’ declares MCP VP Mia

Maravi Post Reporter

CHIKWAWA—(MaraviPost)-The main opposition Malawi Congress Party (MCP) vice President Sidik Mia has vowed to personally see to it that that Francis Chiwanga, son to late David Chiwanga, wins the 2019 Member of Parliament seat in his Chikwawa North Constituency in the forthcoming 2019 elections.

Mia was speaking during a memorial service which the family conducted in honor of late David Chiwanga in Chikwawa on Saturday.

Late Chiwanga, alongside other three cabinet ministers, died in suspicious circumstances during one party rule.

“I am representing a new crop of clean MCP leaders who have nothing to do with whatever happened in the past,” said Mia, sounding emotional at times.

The new crop of MCP leaders has President Chakwera, a devout Christian and former leader of Malawi Assemblies of God Church while his deputy, Sidik Mia, is a strict practicing Muslim and a philanthropist to the core. The party is also boasting of youthful faces in senior positions in the name of Eisenhower Mkaka who happens to be the party’s secretary general.

“I vow that we will continue the legacy of late David Chiwanga by having his son elected as Member of Parliament during the forthcoming elections.

“I will personally push hard to have this done,” vowed Mia.

He then conveyed a message from President Chakwera saying “his thoughts and prayers were with the family.”

Francis Chiwanga, whose family said forgave whosoever took part in the death of their father, joined MCP and was recently ushered into the National Executive Committee (NEC) of the party and will also be contesting as a Member of Parliament in 2019.