Simplex Chithyola Banda, who lost the highly contested post of Secretary General to Richard Chimwendo Banda, buckled under the pressure of his defeat, skipping the closing ceremony of the Malawi Congress Party (MCP) convention.
The closing ceremony, which was attended by almost who candidates who lost, was presided over by party president Lazarus Chakwera.
Amongst them were Eng. Vitumbiko Mumba who lost on the position of vice president, Ken Zikhale Ng’oma, Kezzie Msukwa and Alfred Jiya.
Chimwendo edged out Chithyola with 141 votes, while Chithyola managed to secure only 529.
Other losing candidates included Mkaka, Albert Mbawala with 45 votes, Alex C. Major with 6 votes, Chitinkha Chidzanja-Nkhoma with 29 votes, and Christopher Chaima Banda with 47 votes.
He was reportedly to be in Kasungu at his farm. However, we could not verify as we failed to reach him through his phone.
“It is sad that he chose to skip the closing of the elective convention—a once-in-five-years event—to go to his farm,” said one delegate, who chose to remain anonymous.
People will likely construe his absence at the closing of the convention as insubordination to the authority of the party.
Chithyola, who serves as the Minister of Finance in Chakwera’s cabinet, ran a campaign associated with affluence, reportedly bankrolling campaign events and handouts estimated in the millions of Kwacha.
Commentators in the country have raised ethical concerns regarding the campaign spending observed during the election.
In a related event, some aspirants at the ongoing MCP convention were sharply criticized by Chakwera for “buying” delegates.
Chakwera, condemned the practice in his opening remarks at the convention held at BICC in Lilongwe.
He expressed disappointment that this was happening amid growing concerns about corruption in the country.
“Enticing delegates with money amid corruption concerns is bad. Do not buy positions. It is not good for the party. I urge all delegates to vote wisely, without considering whether a candidate has given you money. Vote for hardworking and servant leaders who will serve the party diligently and help it win the 2025 general election,” he said
Chakwera also expressed optimism that MCP would win the forthcoming general election, citing the party’s success in most of the by-elections conducted over the past four years.
