United Democratic Front (UDF) torchbearer, Atupele Austin Muluzi, has reaffirmed that he is going to be on the ballot paper in the May 21 tripartite general elections.
Muluzi has said this in a statement following media reports that he has agreed to make a coalition with the ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) as his party has pocketed Mk5 billion cash as part of the deal.
He said all that is circulating on the social media about him and President Peter Mutharika’s DPP is propaganda created by some failed political elements since his party is priceless.
“UDF is a very big institution and entity on this country’s political arena, and my presentation of presidential nomination papers only communicates volumes about the party’s intent to compete and not just participate in the May elections.
“We are priceless, too good and big a party to be bought by money of any amount and withdrawing from the race cannot just be an act of greed but also a display of betrayal to our beloved Malawians of brimming proportions,” reads part of the statement.
The Health Minister added that his aim is to serve Malawians who are facing a lot of problems hence he cannot pull out from the race for the political highest office.
“Our wish is to serve Malawians from the many challenges facing them, and this can only be achieved if we assume the country’s driving seat,” concludes the statement.
Before submission of nomination papers to Malawi Electoral Commission (MEC) a couple of days ago, UDF was linked with possible coalition with the ruling DPP with a condition that the son to second Malawi’s leader Bakili Muluzi would be a running mate.
After it emerged that the move with DPP flopped, it was reported that UDF was discussing with Saulos Chilima’s UTM reports which the party’s publicity secretary Ken Ndanga refuted saying no such meeting was held between the two.
Muluzi presented his nomination papers with veteran politician Frank Mwenefumbo as his running mate and MEC confirmed them last week that they will be on the ballot on 21 May polls after fulfilling their requirements to stand.
Presently, nine of the aspiring candidates who presented their nomination papers have been confirmed by the electoral body
