We will do it alone in 2025—Chihana

By Isaac Salima:

Alliance for Democracy (Aford) president Enock Chihana Monday took a swipe at the Tonse Alliance administration, saying it is failing to bail Malawians out of their suffering.

Chihana, who also disclosed that Aford will not partner any party at the 2025 presidential election, accused the current administration of failing to fulfil the promises it made in the run-up to the June 2020 court-ordered presidential election.

He was speaking during a rally his party held at Nyambadwe Ground in Blantyre to commemorate its 30th anniversary.

Chihana insisted that even though his party was in the election alliance that was led by President Lazarus Chakwera, who is also Malawi Congress Party leader, Aford is not part of the current administration.

“We were in the alliance, yes, but that was it. We are not in the governing alliance. So, this time we are doing it alone. We have a licence now and it is clear that people are happy with us as evidenced by our rally’s huge patronage,” the Aford leader said.

Asked whether he would accept a ministerial position if it is offered to him, Chihana insisted he cannot work with the current administration.

In his main address, he fell short of explaining where his party is getting the resources for its “revitalisation” from saying those who are asking such questions will not get the answers now.

“Aford is a big party and it is ridiculous that some people keep asking about where we are getting money with which to finance our activities.

“Why did those people not ask us when the party was being formed where we would get the money from,” Chihana charged.

He also reiterated his call for Malawi to adopt a federal system of government apparently it is the only sure way of equitably distributing development projects in the country.

“President Chakwera should do the following things on calls for federal system: He should consult the Law Commission to provide guidance; he should call for a conference with representative of other countries that adopted the system to learn how they are doing it and see how to go about it here. The President should also call for a referendum,” Chihana told the gathering.

Speaking earlier, Aford Secretary General Elias Wakuda Kamanga argued that previous and current administrations have failed Malawians that they should look up to the party for “salvation”.

Aford’s stand that it is not part of the Tonse Alliance administration means the coalition remains with seven political parties following the withdrawal of People’s Transformation Party (Petra) earlier this year.

Petra president Kamuzu Chibambo cited corruption in government as one of the reasons for ditching the alliance.

Last week, the alliance’s spokesperson Mark Katsonga conceded that all is not well in the coalition as “many parties are frustrated”.

He said it is only that some have chosen not to voice out their concerns.

The alliance has main partners MCP and UTM, but there have been clear cases that show that not all is well even between these partners.