MDC Secretary-General Douglas Mwonzora appears to have chickened out of challenging party leader Nelson Chamisa, opting instead to retain his post.

Mwonzora has apparently backed Chamisa and declared his candidature for the Secretary-General post of the party instead, where he will still face tough challenge from widely nominated Chalton Hwende.

Sources said that the deal was struck on Satutrday evening at the instigation of the Chamisa camp.

“Party leader (Nelson Chamisa) called Mwonzora to a deal last night. The deal was struck by Tendai Biti and Welshman Ncube in a bid to ensure the party remains intact and that Advocate Chamisa’s imminent victory at the Congress is not dented by accusations of voter manipulation.

“So, as it stands, Advocate Chamisa will cruise uncontested,” said a source close to the Mwonzora camp.

It was proving to be a tall order for Mwonzora, who a few months back has been throwing punches around saying he will contest for any position should he be nominated.

But more than halfway into the provincial nominations, he remained with no single nomination, putting him in a difficult position of leaving the Congress an ordinary card-carrying member.

The MDC holds its Congress on 24 May.

Watch the video below from Manicaland province, Saturday: