JOSTLING for positions in the MDC has heightened with many
high-ranking officials vying for senior positions ahead of the congress coming
in two months’ time.
Almost 10 names have been thrown into the ring for the
vice-presidents’ positions and while others are reportedly lining themselves
for the remaining top positions, among them secretary-general and the youth
assembly.
Although the congress process is progressing according to
timelines provided in the guiding template, violence has been reported in other
areas as some party members try to block their rivals who might influence the
selection of other top officials into key positions.
National organising secretary Amos Chibaya said the high
number of people expressing interest in some positions was a sign of growing
internal democracy and that calls for celebration.
“MDC is like a freedom train and everyone is free to join
in, that is what we mean when we say our democracy if flourishing. In some
instances, we have even up to 20 people expressing interest in one position and
we encourage that as long as people qualify,” Chibaya said.
“The process is moving on well. We have completed the
branches and the ward process. This Friday, we will start on the districts
before the provincial at a later stage. So far the process has been violence
free,” he said.
Insiders said the names popping up for the vice-presidency
include Morgen Komichi, Welshman Ncube, Tendai Biti, Murisi Zwizwai, Lynette
Karenyi-Kore, Theresa Makone, Paurina Mupariwa, among others.
“A lot of people want these senior positions and even some
who don’t qualify have their names being thrown into the ring. However, we hope
the list might start to get smaller as congress approaches because some people
who had promised backing for these leaders are falling by the wayside at the
lower structures. As it stands, it’s dog-eat-dog affair,” an insider, who
refused to be named said.
As the euphoria engulfs the structures, some dirty tricks
have also been the order of the day.
Another tight contest is expected at the presidency where
secretary-general Douglas Mwonzora will likely contest Nelson Chamisa as well
as vice-president Elias Mudzuri who has reportedly set his eyes for the
presidency.
Youth leader Happymore Chidziva will be ceding his position
and is expected to battle it out with others, including Job Sikhala and
Blessing Chebundo for the deputy national chairperson’s position.
Although Chidziva is likely to have safe passage, he
refused to discuss the position yesterday, but urged unity and peace in the
run-up to the MDC elective congress in May.
“In an election people differ and as the president has
said, this process is going to drag emotions – bitter and sweet it’s going to
be – but we must focus on the greater goal, which is to democratically elect
our leaders.
“We know the party is going to emerge stronger, but for now
we advise our members not to engage in violence. We must abide by the template
and at the same time we must be clear on pursuing our national agenda and
liberate the country,” Chidziva said.
The youth assembly will likely stage some more drama as
many candidates are coming out to take over from Chidziva.
These include current secretary-general Lovemore Chinoputsa
and Makomborero Haruziviishe, among others. Chinoputsa said his experience will likely count on the
position.
“Congress is a time to rejuvenate our party and it’s not
time for unnecessary mudslinging and infighting. We have been in the trenches
long enough to understand the task at hand and if given the nominations to
stand and ultimately lead the youth assembly, we are ready to lead,” he said.
Haruziviishe said the majority of the party supporters
being youths, they must, therefore, be entrusted with powerful positions.
“I want to elevate the youth assembly into an inclusive hub
of collective youths’ interest articulation whose endgame is to mobilise two
million new voters for MDC and president Nelson Chamisa. This will be done
through deliberate social, economic and political mobilisation tactics that
will see the youths taking on the military junta head-on,” he said. Newsday
0 comments:
Post a Comment