DPP top brass poised to join PP: Dausi in denial

In what could be a bonus for the ruling Peoples Party (PP)  but a setback for democracy, Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) eminent members have applied to join PP following DPP’s abysmal performance in the Mzimba bye elections held on Tuesday.

Former finance minister Dr Goodall Gondwe is the harbinger of DPP’s apparent demise following his unceremonious departure from the party, a highly placed source told Nyasa Times.

According to our source those next in line to join PP apart from Gondwe include DPP’s secretary general Wakuda Kamanga and controversial former sports minister Symon Vuwa Kaunda among others.

Vuwa however said he has no reason to resign from DPP or switch allegiance.

“I am not a rolling stone. I have no ambition. I have struggled for DPP since its establishment therefore I am not swayed by the desire for money or ministerial position,” Kaunda said.

DPP spokesperson Nicholas Dausi expressed ignorance on the matter.

“That is news to me. But in a democracy such news can also be propaganda or speculation. But in the end the truth will prevail,” Dausi said.

Gondwe, who was DPP’s vice President, threw in the towel on Wednesday announcing double resignations from both DPP and ‘frontline politics’.

Nyasa Times understands Gondwe’s departure has been promoted by DPP President Professor Peter Author Mutharika’s ire with the Mzimba bye results after party officials once again misled him of DPP’s perceived popularity in the northern region.

“PP has an open door policy, we welcome everybody. But the development means the end of DPP in the northern region. In the end we might see DPP President Peter Mutharika as the sole member if the exodus continues,” PP’s deputy Campaign Director Dr Ken Zikhale Ng’oma said.

Ng’oma confirmed that PP has received many requests from DPP top gurus expressing their desire to join the party but refused to disclose their names saying “they will be nobody left in DPP except Peter Mutharika”

In Mzimba South West constituency DPP’s candidate Ronald Chavula got 3210 votes against 9654 votes for Peoples Party’s candidate Raymond Nkhata.

While in Mzimba Central Constituency DPP’s Owen Mkandawire got 2313 votes against 9412 votes for Independent candidate Joseph Mabvuto Kachali.

This is not the first time that DPP officials have lied to Mutharika. They also sweet talked the younger Mutharika during the Rumphi Central Constituency bye lections in Rumphi in 2011 but Mutharika did not take that lying down.

During a public rally on December 2, 2011 in Mzuzu at the then Katoto Freedom Park Mutharika threw a salvo at DPP officials saying they mislead the party during campaign for the Rumphi Central bye election.

“In fact you embarrassed us. You told me that we will win by 90 percent and yet we managed a paltry 40 percent. So in 2014 I want you to tell the truth,” he admonished.

Aford’s Enock Chihana won the elections.

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