MDC Alliance President Nelson Chamisa threw aspiring Mbizo Member of Parliament, Settlement Chikwinya’s political life on the line after he pronounced that the alliance would not tolerate imposition of candidates ahead of the 2018 harmonised elections whose date is yet to be set.
Chikwinya, who was banished from parliament in 2015 after he dumped MDC-T for People’s Democratic Party (PDP), led by Tendai Biti, had high hopes of returning the seat on a PDP ticket representing the alliance.
But his hopes were shuttered by the youthful MDC Alliance leader who did not mince his words declaring that candidates will go through a rigorous interview including a primary election.
“We don’t want to hear anything to do with imposition of candidates. Every candidate is going to be chosen by the people, no imposition of candidates,” Chamisa said during the Kwekwe rally at Mbizo 4 Shopping Centre over the weekend.
Chamisa’s declaration seem to have crushed Chikwinya’s political career in that the PDP Secretary General wanted to flex muscles and impose himself to the constituency which he dumped back then.
The situation was made worse by MDC Alliance supporters who booed him off the stage after Amos Chibaya who was master of ceremonies, asked him to give closing remarks.
Chamisa’s statements also come barely a week after MDC-T youths raised a red flag over Chikwinya’s imposition.
“We want to vote for a candidate who is wanted by the people, one we are sure he will stand the Zanu PF heat, not someone who seem confused. Chikwinya doesn’t know what he wants, he just hopes like a grasshopper going nowhere,” said a MDC –T youth on condition of anonymity.
Another youth member said Chikwinya dumped the constituency during his tenure as MP.
“He moved from Mbizo to stay in Fitchlea but when we voted him into office he was staying in Mbizo. We don’t want him here, he should contest in Kwekwe Central where he belongs, we have our people here,” fumed the youth.
Chikwinya’s political career took a nosedive when he was recalled from parliament in 2015 following the formation of Tendai Biti’s PDP.
He was replaced by Zanu PF’s Vongaishe Mupereri who seem to be winning the hearts of many through various projects he has undertaken in the short period of time he has been the MP for the constituency.
