Zhuwao said because of this the NPF did not have the ground force to sustain a successful presidential bid.
“As I have engaged with well-wishers and potential donors willing to consider offering resources to the NPF, that reality has been glaringly pointed out. Most people that have sufficient resources to contribute to any campaign are usually gifted with the capacity to conduct dispassionate and objective analyses. Such analyses invariably invite the conclusion that it is futile to contribute to the NPF presidential campaign,” he said.
“However, there is a glimmer of hope in that some well-wishers and donors would like to support NPF legislators and councillors. These well-wishers and donors are willing to contribute resources for NPF’s parliamentary and local authority campaign. For these well-wishers to have the comfort that their contributions are channelled to the parliamentary and local authority campaign, they think NPF’s presidential candidate should withdraw.”
Zhuwao, however, said the more important reason for Mutinhiri to step down was that he would not win but would split the votes leading to a run-off which he said would be a recipe for disaster.
“General, you and I know that a run-off where one of the contestants is an incumbent who rose through a military coup would be a recipe for disaster that would make 2008 pale into insignificance. We will die like flies this time. DDT will be used again,” he said.
Mutinhiri broke ranks with his colleagues when he refused to join the MDC Alliance and was fired as party leader but he in turn expelled those who had fired him.
Zhuwao and his colleague Jonathan Moyo were behind those that fired Mutinhiri, so it is not clear whether the candidates that Zhuwao said are contesting under the NPF ticket are behind Mutinhiri or the other faction now led by Eunice Sandi Moyo.
Chamisa is reported to have rebuffed overtures by former President Robert Mugabe or his wife Grace, who are believed to be behind the NPF, to work with him.
Reports say Chamisa was also warned by former South African President Jacob Zuma not to associate with Mugabe.
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