The long-awaited opposition Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) national convention will be convened in Lilongwe on December 21 , Nyasa Times understands.
DPP interim president, Professor Peter Mutharika last month during a rally at Njamba Freedom Park, Blantyre announced the party will hold the convention this year, which it described as mega and unique convention the country has ever witnessed.
Mutharika did not reveal where and when, however, Nyasa Times sources within the party have disclosed the event will take place at Presidential Hotel in the capital city, Lilongwe to a budget of about K80 million.
This will be first DPP convention since the death of its leader and the country’s president late Bingu wa Mutharika who succumbed to cardiac arrest in April this year.
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In separate interviews DPP Publicity Secretary, Nicholas Dausi and interim Secretary General, Allan Chiyembekeza said details about the convention will be released to the public soon.
“Everything about the convention will be communicated any time soon and the media will be the first to know so don’t ask any more questions,” Chiyembekeza said.
Chimbekeza however refused to comment on reports that the event is set for December 21 in Lilongwe and only said details on the convention will only be released at propitiate time.
“It will be one exciting event with pomp and glamour. There will be different activities to spice the convention including a music carnival by some top known artists. The current budget is K80 million but it can change depending on the number of delegates to the event. There will be foreign delegates coming in just to witness the event,” said our source.
Our sources further revealed that the event has been shifted to Lilongwe in order to be different with other political parties that usually hold their convention in Blantyre. Peoples Party (PP) and United Democratic Front (UDF) held their convention in Blantyre this year where they elected its National Executive Committees.
“It’s another strategy by the party to strengthen its base in central region. Over the years most parties tend to prefer Blantyre for their conventions even DDP it held its first convention at Comesa Hall but this time around it will be different,” explained our sources.
During the convention, DPP is set to elect its National Executive Committee (NEC) to replace the current one which is just an interim. It will also select a presidential candidate/
So far the post of party president it is Mutharika and Henry Mussa who have sown interest to contest.
DPP convention will come just two month after UDF held its convention at Comesa Hall in Blantyre were Atupele Muluzi son to former president, Bakili Muluzi was elected as its president and 2014 torch bearer. PP held its convention in August this year at Sports Complex Hall, Blantyre where Joyce Banda was elected as president.