Muluzi said the AU delegation had asked him to be part of the dialogue process with President Mutharika and Malawi Congress Party presidential hopeful John Tembo and he accepted to be part of the talks which took place at New State House on Friday evening.
He said his commitment to peace persuaded him to be part of the talks to ensure Malawians hold free, fair and peaceful election which is expected to be hotly contested between Tembo, Mutharika and Muluzi.
Muluzi told privately owned Capital FM radio that he is contesting the elections under the banner of UDF and that AU delegation has not asked him not to contest.
Let me first of all say that, the two former heads of state were in the country to appeal for free, fair and peaceful elections indeed on the 19th of May. In order for these elections to be free, fair and peaceful, it is important that all stakeholders including the media should be responsible in their reporting because if they report on issues which are not collect, they will be misleading Malawians, Muluzi pointed out.
He denied that AU delegation had tackled about his candidacy.
What mandate would they have to ask me not to stand? Remember, last year on the 24th April I went through a nomination process at the convention [of UDF] where people elected me as presidential candidate. On 4th February, I presented my nominations to Malawi Electoral Commission. Are they not contradicting themselves by saying Bakili Muluzi does not qualify and then he should [withdraw], he said.
Muluzi said the report that AU had asked him to withdraw his candidature was a fabrication saying MEC received nomination on an earlier schedule before dissolution of parliament but as the august House stands dissolved constitutionally on March 20, he will be officially declared candidate together with seven others.
Definitely I am a candidate. I want to assure you that I am. There is no way I could have gone this far. I am a candidate. I will be candidate in the forthcoming elections on the 19th May, he said.
Muluzi said he was asked by AU if he could attend talks with President Mutharika and MCP leader and accepted because of his commitment to peace.
Anything to do with peace, I support it. UDF is not a small party, so too Malawi Congress Party, is not a small party. I would like to believe DPP is not, therefore three leaders meeting and talking about peace, it is absolutely important, he noted.
He emphasised on the importance of maintaining peace and calm.
We need peace in this country. We leaders we must provide leadership to ensure that there is peace in the country. If we don't, then who will? We are supposed to lead our people to ensure there is peace among and between our people, said the former president.
He added: It is just unfortunate that it had to take African Union to come to Malawi to assist us Malawians to ensure peaceful elections and indeed free and fair elections. It is our responsibility to do so.
Muluzi appealed to his UDF supporters and all Malawians to ensure they adhere to peaceful elections.
The UDF presidential candidate also urged the electoral officials to level the playing field to suit all players saying the process leading to the polling should be fair.
Nyasa Times
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