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| National |
| DPP wants Muluzi to quit |
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by
Bright Sonani, 25 March 2005
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13:39:04
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The Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) has asked UDF chairman Bakili Muluzi to resign from politics ahead of the party’s official launch, saying the new party would not want the former president to be a target of ‘political fight’ during its political rallies.
But Muluzi’s spokesperson, who doubles as UDF acting publicity secretary, Sam Mpasu has said the call just shows that the DPP was scared of Muluzi and would want to see him out of UDF to have an easy go at the party.
Former UDF central region governor and DPP senior member Uladi Mussa on Thursday said it would be appropriate for Muluzi to relinquish UDF chairmanship if, as former head of state he is to reserve his respect on the political arena.
“This call is out of respect for him. To most of us in the DPP, Muluzi has been our mentor and we have always respected him as our head of state. We, therefore, don’t want him to be a target of political fights during our rallies just because he wants to remain a chairman of a party, a position lesser than what he has already achieved in politics,” said Mussa.
He said Muluzi should follow the good example of former Mozambique President Joaquim Chissano who handed over leadership of his party soon after he left the presidency.
“We don’t know what Muluzi would want to achieve by clinging to politics. In politics what else can one achieve beyond the presidency? Muluzi has been in almost all party leadership positions, including ministerial posts,” he added.
Mpasu said although Muluzi was not a life chairman for the party, the DPP has no right to dictate his departure.
“The reason they are calling for his resignation is that they know that with Muluzi around they will not be able to defeat the UDF. They are afraid of him. There is no crime with anyone leading a political party and UDF has the right to choose a leader,” he said.
Mpasu said Muluzi has only served two years of his five-year term and the party’s Constitution gives him freedom to be elected again. The party’s Constitution gives unlimited five year terms to the chairman.
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