By Kondwani Chilimunthaka
The former head of state who is also the president of the Peoples Party (PP) Dr. Joyce Banda has appealed for unity among followers of various political parties if the MCP/UTM signed alliance is to bring the desired outcome.
Dr. Banda who is the only woman to have served as the state vice president and state president respectively was speaking this at Kamuzu Institute for Sports in Lilongwe on Thursday afternoon, March 19, 2020 where the official signing of the MCP/UTM alliance took place.
She said since her party entered into an alliance with Malawi Congress Party, there has never been time for finger pointing and backbiting or even gossiping and urged that this must be maintained in the newly formed alliance saying many Malawians have been looking up for such alliance but with serious agenda for common Malawians who are poor. Dr. Joyce Banda then saluted the leadership of Dr. Lazarus Chakwera as being God fearing, humble, wise and determined to change Malawi for better and as being one to unite Malawi regardless of the region, religion, tribe and gender, citing the rising of Honorable Catherine Gotani Hara and worship Juliana Kaduya to the position of the speaker of the national assembly and mayor for Lilongwe City respectively as tangible examples of Chakwera’ determination towards promoting women.
She also took time to thank the MCP’ first vice president who was the runningmate to Dr. Chakwera in 2019 Hon. Sidik Mia for his humility and maturity that he paved way on his position as the running mate for the sake of saving the nation from the current situation and urged the party leaders not to look at positions but have interest of Malawians at heart as set by Mia.
Dr. Joyce Banda signed the alliance documents as a witness for MCP at a function that was attended by thousands of Malawians and has been joined by 9 political parties. If this will be intact to the polling day, Malawi can for the first time have only 2 main contestants on presidential race.
