President Joyce Banda of Malawi and President Yoweri Museveni of Uganda at State House, Nairobi on December 12, 2013. PHOTO | PPS | FILE  AFP
By Rex Chikoko
In a space of two months, President Joyce Banda's party, the People's Party, has lost two of its vice presidents ahead of the general election in May, the latest being Mohammed Sidik Mia who resigned on Friday.
Mr Sidik Mia was the party's vice president responsible for administration and also served as Transport Minister.
President Banda's party had four vice presidents representing the Southern, Northern, Central and Eastern regions.
Last December, the party's vice president for the Central region Cassim Chilumpha left the party citing backbiting among party members.
The departure of Sidik Mia, a wealthy businessman who has been one of the financiers of the party, has been seen as a blow to Banda's bid to retain the presidency.
POLITICAL JOSTLING
Political commentator Billy Banda observed that the departure of multiple party officials was a cause for concern. Political jostling for the position of running mate for President Banda and primary elections to represent the party as members of parliament are said to be the main reasons for the resignations of top politicians from the party.
"A party should not be losing influential members with only months to the election. It is a sign of infighting and leadership challenges," he said.
Sidik Mia, when announcing his resignation, said after consultation with his family he decided to resign and lead a private life. However, speculation is rife that he might be joining the opposition Malawi Congress Party.
In a press statement responding to Sidik Mia's resignation, President Banda's special political and communications advisor Elias Wakuda Kamanga said the president was aware that every citizen in Malawi has a democratic right to choose to belong to any political party or association and, equally, to leave any political party or association.
"President Banda wishes Hon. Sidik Mia all the best in his future endeavours," said Kamanga.