 Some criticized this, arguing that the nomination process should be open to other candidates; Mpombo, the Defense Minister, resigned from his post in July 2009 while criticizing the process as undemocratic.President Banda subsequently welcomed others to challenge him for the nomination at the MMD Conventions taking place across the country.After taking office, Banda dismantled much of the anti-corruption effort put into place by his predecessor, Mwanawasa.