Maravi

Magande is qualified to be president, says Munkombwe

Magande is qualified to be president, says Munkombwe
By Bivan Saluseki
Thursday January 10, 2008 [03:01]

SOUTHERN Province MMD chairman, Daniel Munkombwe, yesterday said finance minister, Ng'andu Magande, was clean and qualified to succeed President Levy Mwanawasa. Munkombwe said Magande was among a clique of good people being talked about for presidency. "He is one of the people who is clean. He is qualified in all departments. He will relate to a number of good people being talked about," he said.

Munkombwe said people should, however, not be discouraged from expressing their interest and his comments should not discourage anybody. "There are a lot of people. It is a question of who will eventually win," he said.

Munkombwe said Magande was just good in most areas. Munkombwe said he did not want to talk about party secretary general, Katele Kalumba's bid for presidency and compare him with Magande.

"I don't want to commit myself to that. All I can say is he Magande is among the good people who will add to the number of other people. So far the best way is to wait," said Munkombwe.

Magande's name is being prominently mentioned among those likely to succeed President Mwanawasa.

On Monday, Magande said he would wait for President Mwanawasa as 'captain' to choose his successor for the 2011 general elections.

Asked on reports linking him to people making manoeuvres to succeed President Mwanawasa, an evasive Magande said President Mwanawasa as 'captain' had asked people not to talk about the issue but instead concentrate on development.

"The President says he will take part. It is only the President as the captain who will make his choice. I will wait until the President chooses," he said.

Asked if he wanted the presidency since his name was prominent among MMD members likely to replace President Mwanawasa, Magande said he was for now concentrating on this year's budget and development work because there was a lot of time before 2011.

Last week, finance deputy minister, Jonas Shakafuswa, said Magande was one of the potential MMD presidential candidates because he was a capable leader.

"I can mention Hon Magande. We have discussed it with Magande over his presidency. A lot of politicians' agenda is to distract; they have no agenda. We need capable people," Shakafuswa said.

Labels: DANIEL MUNKOMBWE, MAGANDE, MMD, PRESIDENCY

posted by MrK @ 1:07 PM