Too late for Prof. Chirwa?

My last article on the presidential ambitions of Prof. Clive Chirwa hinted that the MMD constitution may have a minimum membership requirement. Ben Tetamashimba has confirmed this in the POST today.

“But my question is that, where was Prof Chirwa to join MMD now when the party has branches in London? Now that he has seen positive developments in MMD by President Mwanawasa, he thinks it’s time to lead the country. Of course, that is possible but let him hope that our convention is held after September 2010. But if it is held before that time, Prof Chirwa will not be allowed to contest for MMD presidency,” Tetamashimba said.He said the MMD constitution stated that any member, who had served the party for less than three years, was not eligible to vie for party presidency.“Since Prof Chirwa joined MMD in September this year, he will attain three years in September 2010. But for other positions such as at council and parliamentary levels, there is no problem because the constitution allows,” he said.

The history of the MMD tells us that the constitution can easily be changed to suit the prevailing political situation. FTJ managed to change it to enable him go a third term and also removed the requirement of the President of the MMD to automatically become the MMD's candidate in the presidential election. The key person in all this is dr. Mwanawasa. If he wants Clive to run, he will change the constitution. However, he can end Prof. Chirwa's presidential ambitions by calling for the convention to be held before September 2010 under the pretence of giving his successor more time to campaign.

The PANEL.