National People’s Party (NPP) leader Joice Mujuru has said that if opposition parties fail to reach a consensus, people must make a decision on who should lead the envisaged grand alliance which will contest to unseat President Robert Mugabe from power in the next year’s harmonised elections.

Addressing her supporters at the party’s inaugural elective convention in Harare, President Mugabe’s former deputy said people will “cross to the promised land” if they register and vote in their numbers.

“That there is need for a coalition of progressive forces to unseat the ZANU PF regime is no longer an issue we need to convince citizens about, because you all know what you want.
“Zimbabweans are clear on what to do for us to win these elections; for once you want an opportunity to air your views on what type of a leader you want, if boardroom decisions are not dictated on you, ”Mujuru said.

Mujuru said the coalition will definitely win the next year’s poll and remove President Mugabe from power.

“NPP as a people centered party, we believe that we have over-stretched your patience but remember we are from different parties with different backgrounds and negotiations seem to take a bit longer than anticipated, we appreciate that time is of essence but at least people should be heard.

“We are working on the modalities of this grand coalition and I assure you that this time you will cross to the promised land of flowing milk and honey,” she said.

She said people must support the person who is going to be elected as an alliance leader adding that she does not want to be remembered for frustrating the struggle.

Speaking at the same ceremony, MDC-T leader Morgan Tsvangirai implored Mujuru to join the coalition to fight ZANU PF.

“I was listening to what you were saying comrade president, I see no conflicts with our ideals and values as MDC-T, so where is the problem, we cannot be divided on the basis of personality. If we agreed that this is the direction we are going to face as a country, why don’t we put these efforts together?” Tsvangirai queried to a thunderous applause from NPP supporters.

Tsvangirai was endorsed as a leader of the MDC alliance by 7 political parties at a ceremony that saw him reuniting with his former allies cum nemesis Welshman Ncube and Tendai Biti who deserted him in 2005 and 2014 respectively.

Mujuru snubbed the ceremony despite being the first opposition leader to sign the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Tsvangirai, amid speculations that she was seeking another coalition after her negotiations with the former Premier hit turbulent waters.