UDF president Atupele Muluzi quits politics
United Democratic Front (UDF) President Atupele Muluzi has resigned from active politics and consequently stepped down as the party president.
According to a letter addressed to UDF Secretary General Kandi Padambo, Muluzi will now go into business for development and progress of Malawi.
Muluzi said in the letter that in pursuant with the party’s constitution, he has appointed Lilian Patel to lead the party as Acting President until the next convention where new leaders will be elected.
He expressed his grateful to UDF for the confidence and support given to him over 18 years he has served in the party.
Meanwhile, UDF Publicity Secretary, Yusuf Mwawa, confirmed the development saying Muluzi has indeed tendered his resignation letter to the party’s Secretary General.
Mwawa further said the party will soon meet to discuss the way forward.
Commenting on the matter one of the country’s political scientists, Victor Chipofya said the resignation has dispelled speculations that UDF is a family party.
Chipofya believes that the future of UDF is still bright as it will now have the mandate to choose new leaders to take the party to greater heights.
Muluzi, the son of former President Dr Bakili Muluzi, has also served as a cabinet minister in Joyce Banda and Peter Mutharika administrations.
Meanwhile Atupele Muluzi says has left politics to transition into a pan African business executive
In his Facebook post Muluzi says together with global business partners they intend to immediately kick start a mini-industrial and economic revolution for the progress and development of Malawi
“I am open to people’s ideas and new strategies,” Muluzi
Meanwhile, acting UDF president has appealed to government to urgently fix economic situation the country is going through before it gets out of hands.
Acting President of UDF Lillian Patel made the plea during a mass rally held at Chinamwali ground in Zomba district.
Patel who addressed her first rally after being appointed as Acting President of the party said poor Malawians are starving due to poor economic policies the government is taking.
She reminded Tonse administration that Malawians are not demanding nothing but what was promised during the campaign.
The UDF leader therefore said “Tonse government should stop on blaming others instead should find lasting solutions to challenges people are going through.”
Patel however expressed concern that many young people shun from voting a development which lead to voter apathy.
She appealed to the youth to take active roles on issues of national interest by analyzing political parties’ manifestos to ensure they make informed decisions in voting.
Patel’s appointment came after UDF President Atupele Muluzi announced his decision to quit active politics.
Reacting to Muluzi’s resignation UDF northern region membership has expressed disapproval of their president’s quitting politics saying they believe he is the capable leader who can stir the party to form the next government
In a letter addressed to secretary general Kandi Padambo they say that Atupele Muluzi is the brand the party has groomed over the years hence the need to have him within UDF
Therefore they appeal to Muluzi to reverse his decision and are ready for mediation talks
