Chamisa to hand over power if he loses to Mwonzora

MDC president Nelson Chamisa said that he will support whoever is victorious in the much-anticipated Congress slated for May.

Responding to a follower on Twitter who had asked whether he will support the winner at Congress if he (Chamisa) loses, Chamisa responded:

"I will support the winner. Hopefully, I will be able to support myself. Lol…A great leader is always a great follower. I pray to be a great good leader, I, therefore, follow others with humility."

According to various media reports, the MDC faces collapse at worst, or complete subjugation by Zanu-PF if Chamisa loses the presidency as the former is said to be supporting the latter's rivals.

Tension continues to rise in the MDC ahead of its elective congress with secretary general Douglas Mwonzora saying the party president Nelson Chamisa failed to meet a target of attracting 4.5 million votes in the July 30 general elections.

His fiery comments come after some party bigwigs loyal to Chamisa led by deputy president Morgen Komicghi said the youthful leader has already been endorsed to lead the party in the 2023 general elections structures.

Mwonzora said he is a capable leader who is able to garner more votes that what MDC President Nelson Chamisa got in the last election if he was to be elected as Party President and 2023 Presidential candidate.

An amendment to the MDC Constitution in 2014 has ignited fresh disagreement between Chamisa and Mwonzora who are both vying for the presidency at May's Congress.

The amendment at the centre of the controversy gave the then president Morgan Tsvangirai the power to appoint members of the Standing Committee, that is more than half of the 12 most senior party positions.

Mwonzora is arguing all positions should be contested while Chamisa wants to maintain the status quo. The secretary-general argued that the 2014 resolution is not law, but part of rules that can be chopped and changed before Congress, depending on circumstances.