Lucius vows to support Chilima in UTM-MCP alliance: ‘Money isn’t enough for me to abandon my beliefs’

Former Member of Parliament for Balaka North Lucius Banda who is also campaign director for the United Transformation Movement (UTM) has promised to support Dr. Saulos Chilima in the newly formed alliance with the Malawi Congress Party (MCP) ahead of the fresh Presidential polls.

Recently Banda has been attacked from left and right with others asking him to leave the MCP-UTM alliance and join the ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) and its bedfellow United Democratic Front (UDF).

Others went further by sharing edited photos of Banda in DPP regalia claiming that he has dumped the alliance.

Writing on his official facebook page, Banda vowed to continue supporting Chilima ahead of the fresh polls.

“Was born in a very extremely poor family, We tested rice on Christmas Days only, beans or masamba otendera was a luxury for me. Our house leaked even with just showers. I wore oversized clothes. I had my first pair of shoe at age 15.

“So you see, poverty is where I come from it is my home, and no sane person fears home. That’s why if you have to convince me politically bring me facts, ideals, philosophies, and principles that you stand for and not just money. You can’t intimidate me with poverty, l manage it better than wealth,” wrote Banda.

He added: “I am blessed that when I touched the first one million kwacha in 1995( through music,) I discovered that real satisfaction does not come from what you see on your bank statement, real satisfaction comes from the smiles of the underprivileged that you reach out and assist.

“I see some people feeling sorry for me for my political choices. Often times some people encourage me to belong to a certain political party which They think would enable me to easly become an MP again. I tell you this: No gift, position, or amount of money is enough to make me abandon my beliefs. I would rather become a common begger than sale myself.

“If you see me stick with a certain political leader, just know there is something very right that I believe he will do for Malawians and I want to be part of it. In this case I see a lot of Good for our children in Dr Saulos klause Chilima and his Alliance partners.”