NK Ndlovu abandons VP race again?

ZANU PF Politburo member Naison Khutshwekhaya Ndlovu has reportedly quit his second bid for the Zanu PF second top post after he allegedly pulled out more than a decade ago to pave way for the late vice president John Landa Nkomo.

According to media reports gleaned by Bulawayo24 news, Zanu PF big wigs in Matabeleland have since endorsed Simon Khaya Moyo to assume the vice presidency ahead of Ndlovu, Kembo Mohadi and Mphekezela Mphoko who have shown deep-seated interest in the second top post.

According to reports, Ndlovu who has in the past weeks shown a spirited effort to assume the post did not dare oppose the endorsement for fear of being embarrassed.

A daily paper today reported that "some members who attended the Matabeleland meeting that endorsed Moyo said Ndlovu was asked if he was interested in the VP post as widely reported in the media and but declined citing fear of embarrassment.

But this is the same Ndlovu who told the media that this time around he was throwing in his bid for the VP post after he paved way for Nkomo.

 "This time around we will go back to the stand that the most senior Zapu member takes the VP position," Ndlovu said then.

But the recent resolution, if it is anything to go by, has put an end to Ndlovu's political ambitions.

Analysts have argued that in terms of seniority both in Zanu PF and Zapu Ndlovu would qualify for the post but the old man is undone by political stamina and leadership decorum which his nemesis Moyo has already acquired first as a diplomat and second as the party's chairman.

Ndlovu, political pundits, say, would have likely benefitted if the 1987 unity pact between Zanu PF and Zapu is effected but, as things stand insiders within the ruling party have indicated that pact is now an issue of tokenism and is unlikely going to influence succession in the party.

After the signing of the Unity Accord in 1987, Zapu president Joshua Nkomo became VP while his deputy, Joseph Msika, assumed the position of national chairperson.

When Joshua Nkomo passed away in 1999, Msika took over as VP, with John Nkomo taking over as national chairperson and when Msika died in 2009,   John Nkomo took over as VP.

Moyo's endorsement in Matabeleland might dramatically change the VP race matrix in that Mphoko and Mohadi might as well be forced to declare their allegiance to Moyo who has become a favorite for fear of embarrassment.