Mutharika says has ‘red card’ to flash on JB
Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) presidential candidate in the race for Malawi’s number one office on May 20, Peter Mutharika said on Sunday he has “never felt so confident” than now that he will outs Joyce Banda form State House through the ballot.
Mutharika was speaking at Kachere Township in Limbe when he was given a rousing welcome to Blantyre ahead of his filling of nomination papers on Monday.
The DPP leader is the first among the 13 presidential candidates to file his papers in readiness for the first ever May 20 tripartite polls. He had a whistle-stop tour from Lilongwe to Blantyre.
Speaking to thousands of supporters, Mutharika assured people of his candidature in the presidential race, saying the tactics which government wanted to use to bar him due to his holding of an American Green Card is now water under the bridge.
“Now that I have abandoned and surrendered the Green Card to American embassy, I have come with a red card to flash at Joyce Banda and give her matching orders from power,” he said of a symbol borrowed from football, when players are shown a red card when they are dismissed from the game.
Mutharika’s presidential candidacy was under scrutiny over his possession of a green card whose status many commentators equated to owing allegiance to the US.
“I am geared to contest the May 20 elections and come May 21 I am taking over as next president of Malawi, “said Mutharika sounding confident.
Mutharika said Malawians must be allowed to choose the leaders they want in a democratic and transparent manner.
“Unjustified use of the legal system to bar some people from standing as candidates because the government is desperate to retain power beyond May 20 should be rejected by all Malawians,” he said.
Mutharika accused the People’s Party (PP) of taking the country off track.
“It is sad that this Joyce Banda government has only achieved one thing, the cash gate scam,” he said, asking Malawians to demand explanation on how the Capital Hill cash gate came into being.
He said Malawi is facing hunger situation, breakdown of security and weakening of the Kwacha currency, rising costs of living and unemployment.
“It is disheartening to note that people are dying of hunger when in our time hunger was history, let me assure you that we are going to continue with the Fertiliser Subsidy Program where farmers shall have access to cheap fertiliser but without sand as is the case with this government” said Mutharika.
He also hinted that the next government will put much emphasis on infrastructure development such as roads and the Nsanje inland Port among many others.
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