By Edwin Mauluka

With just over a week before Malawians head to the polls, Odya Zake Alibe Mulandu (OZAM) has suffered a setback as some of its parliamentary and local government candidates have shifted their allegiance to the ruling Malawi Congress Party (MCP), citing lack of support from their leader, Vice President Michael Usi.

Speaking at a press briefing in Lilongwe, Fredrick Billy Malata, who introduced himself as leader of the defecting candidates, claimed that all 77 OZAM candidates had resolved to back President Lazarus Chakwera.

Malata said the group was frustrated at having to finance their campaigns from personal resources without assistance from the party. 

“We are endorsing Dr. Lazarus Chakwera,” he declared, criticizing Usi’s leadership style and dismissing his dancing at political rallies as “unpresidential.”

Elias Madeya, OZAM’s parliamentary candidate for Machinga East Constituency, also voiced concerns. He said the party lacked a manifesto, making it difficult for candidates to explain its agenda to the public. 

“We haven’t trained our party monitors, and this is likely going to present problems during the election. What is happening is drama,” Madeya said.

Despite pledging support for MCP, Malata said the candidates would technically remain with OZAM until after the elections that will be held on September 16.

“We’re not leaving the party because we are already appearing on the ballot as Odya Zake Alibe Mulandu candidates. Just as our president refused to step down as vice president in order to fight corruption from within the government, we too will use this time to solve party problems internally,” Malata explained.