The former vice president for the South in the People’s Party (PP) Sidik Mia has made a u-turn and has now endorsed the UDF flag bearer Atupele Muluzi’s candidature.
According to Fraiday’s The Nation newspaper, Sidik Mia accompanied the youthful presidential candidate in his campain rallies in Machinga and Mangochi districts where he spoke and endorsed Atupele as the rightful presidential candidate in the May 20 tripartite elections.
The Nation newspaper, whose reporter Frank Namangale monitored Mia’s speech on Joy Radio quotes him as saying, “I am out of politics, but I have decided to endorse Atupele. Malawi needs to focus on challenges we are facing and that can only be made possible under the leadership of Atupele.”
There were strong rumours associating the lower shire giant to theย Peter utharika’s DPP, but his close associates strongly refuted the allegations and said that people should keep their eyes open for ย Mia’s move.
Mia is one of the first former ministers of the former ruling DPP who ditched the party at the death of former Malawi president late Dr Bingu wa Mutharika while his body was lying in state and rushed to support Dr Joyce Banda’s new government. He however resigned citing personal reasons.
Mia’s endorsement of Atupele’s candidature is a big boost to UDF’s campaign as Mia is very influential not only in the Lower Shire but even among the Muslim community.
