Malawi leader forms task force for ‘third term’ bid
President Bingu wa Mutharika has sanctioned a group of his sympathizers to form a task force to drum up support and advance the idea to extend his rule beyond 2014, Nyasa Times has established.
Mutharika, 77, who renewed his mandate through a landslide victory on May 19, is barred by the constitution to seek a third consecutive term in 2014.
However, sources attending a task force meeting at the residence of Leston Mulli of Mulli Brothers Group of companies said the group a laying ground work to ensure Mutharika rules beyond 2014.
“We have been discussing a strategy which we are calling it ‘Development Term’ of President Mutharika,” informed the source, a highly ranking ruling DPP official.
Another source collaborated the story saying the main purpose is to drum up support for the upcoming Constitutional amendment bill to the tenure of President from five years to seven years.
“The option discussed to ensure Mutharika holds on to power beyond 2014 are that we amend the constitution to add a term of a President from the current five-year to seven years.
“This will be done together with an amendment of the term of members of parliament from five years to seven years so that the schedule of holding the presidential and parliamentary elections is moved forward together,” said the source.
The group has also discussed an option of debating a motion in parliament that the first five years President Mutharika served from 2004 to 2009 was a mandate of UDF which he was elected on its banner and that he is serving the first five years as President under the mandate of DPP.
“We will argue that this is technically Bingu’s first term, and DPP’s first term to rule,” said the source.
Mutharika’s task force which has most of people from the Lhomwe ethnic tribe of the President agreed to argue that the first five years of the President was disturbed with political fights with UDF and the opposition dominated parliament over issues of Section 65 anti defection law, impeachment and delays to pass on the budget.
Despite previous hints by Mutharika that he would not seek a straight third term, the revelations for task force to map strategies of extending his power are the strongest indication that the President is not ready to step down.
The President’s party has an absolute majority in parliament to amend laws.
Ndimakukondani a nyasa times, koma muchita nazo mwanyazi izi. BBC style chani? Bwanji. If he will b great like last time it will be the people not thetask force.
A Bingu adanena okha kuti sadzaimanso. He said with his own mouth that he will not stand again. God knows everything.
should we say tinavota udyo kapena chani?wat the bigman should know is amalawi pano atseguka mmaso awafunse atcheya.mlawi has got alot of pipo what can deliver kuposa iyeyo if they can be given a chance.who knew mmene amkaonekera pa kampeni ya 2004 muja kuti could deliver.bwalo ndilosiilana KODI MALAWI ADASANKHA KUTI ADZIKHALA NDI MA PRESIDENT AMUYAYA BASI???????????GOD HELP US WEKNOW YOU ARE ALWAYS AWAKE.
sha! zamanyazi. if this is true, then politicians dont learn. nyasa times cary on the gud wek.
Ha ha ha ha….So its true. Let me also reveal what I heard from the corridors of power at Capital Hill, Anticipation a constitutional change to allow Mutharika to run for a ‘THIRD’ term, this would also open up chances for Muluzi to run for presidency again. Bingu wouldnt want to run against Muluzi who is 13 years younger than him. By 2014, Bingu would be 80 years old on paper while in actual fact he would be 83 years old.( Thats his real age). On the other hand Muluzi would be 68years old. So the only way of blocking Muluzi is to use the anti corruption commission to seize his property and live him with nothing and even jail him so that he wont be eligible to stand. Ha ha ha…..koma ku Capital Hill timamva zinthu. I thot it was just a lie , but after reading this nyasa times story, mutu wanga waseguka. Thats what I have been hearing kodi. Nyasa Times, I can be your capital hill correspondent, as long as you dont sell me to my bosses who would be too happy to fire me.Koma kuli zinthu kuno. Kodi mukudziwa kuti Joyce Banda feels sidelined. If I can get assuarance of protection, I can be sending you these stories. Koma ndikuopa kuti mwina ku nyasa times, kulinso a DPP oti akhoza kundi gulitsa kwamabwana. Then I can lose my job.
Is this information not coming from you Charity the happy girl? This noise is interesting. I feel you are the one who is cooking up these stories.
Charity, it seems you are very well informed person. Do you work for OPC? Your comments are always from a well informed source. Im now interested about Joyce Banda feeling sidelined. I say so because I come from Mzimba where people are not happy with way Bingu is treating Goodhall. Im told that they are no longer on talking terms. Bingu wants to frustrate Goodhall and bring him down before chucking him off from cabinet. This is so because Goodhall has shown that he was vying for the presidency. There is also a committe in the north that is proposing that the next president be from the northen region. And Goodhall is a front runner. That is why Bingu is trying to frustrate him. To have people like you Charity at Capital Hill is wonderful. Maybe Nyasa Times should start a page of ‘LETTERS TO THE EDITOR’ or a column of ‘MY TURN’ or ‘CITIZEN JOURNALIST’ like what the nation newspaper does, so that we can hear more from informed people like you Charity. Lets defend our country. We are DPP, but the last 2 months have not been good and we might be heading for a one man dictatorship. We can also campaign that Goodhall gets his rightful place in Malawi politics. It is him who engineered Malawi’s economic prosperity. But Bingu is trying to rub that history.
Thanks very much Charity for that information. I am a UDF die hard and I have been wondering why my leader is being targeted like this. I didnt know Bingu is scared of a young Muluzi.. APA NDIYE MWATIMASULA ABITI CHARITY. Muluzi is 13 years younger than Bingu. No wonder Bingu sakugona tulo. Muluzi is his nightmare. So if Bwana Bingu changes constitution laws, then Muluzi will also stand. Me, I support that he should change the rule and face ATCHEYA. Tembo was no much to Bingu because he is also old. Tionera kuti zitithela bwanji.
Apa the issue is not about recycling some old faded politicians like Muluzi with alot cases to answer.Malawi is going forward and i don’t think any sane ambitiuos malawian will look back to atcheya who failed us miserably the past 10 years.Bingunso naye ikakwana 2014 is going whatever any means will try palm oil these unprincipled inde bwanas from bananaland,but malawi is not composed of alomwe only.No comeback for Bingu or whatever his brother in 2014…period.We are no longer interested kumangomva zamunthu modzi ife.We showed exit,Muluzi and Ungapake so what can fail us with Bingu?????????
Charity, this is the intelligence wing. As my sister, I just wanted to warn you that we know who you are, and which office and department you work for at Capital Hill. We know the colour and registration of your vehicle (RAV). We know where you stay. So before its too late, can you please stop posting this nonsence on nyasa times, otherwise you may be losing your job faster than you got it. We run capital hill and you can be fired anytime. You can go and complain at the ombudsman. Please stop this nonsence of leaking sensitive government documents.
Yes ofcourse Charity can easly be fired- but the trueth should come out, no matter what… we need transparency for everything. Only a good advanse is that please chsnge your name, dont speak like you work there at Capital Hill, do like what others do.
Intelligence wing or unintelligent wing?Just leave the girl alone,she has hoodwinked you and sent you on the wrong trail.You are looking for a girl called Charity driving a Rav4 when you should be looking for a girl called???? driving a?????.She is not that foolish,she is smart,she is s Congress girl.Go! Charity Go!,no intimidation,no surrender.Go! babe Go!
You only live twice
Hey Mr Intelligence, Am sure you are aware of the underground movement that performed wonders in bringing down Kamuzu and his intelligence machine. Up to date MCP and Zenus do not know the underground architects of their downfall. Similary you dont know who is who amongst you. You may be running capital hill now but open your eyes and you will discover there are people watching.You got a hundred pairs of eyes amongst you, we got a million pairs of eyes. Do not hate the players,hate the game and try to understand the rules of the game to stay a step ahead of the game. you are a juvenile my friend. I love you charity UDF for life
Osati zo opyezana. Intelligency wachani? Choka apa galu iwe. Let people express themselves freely
Intelligence ya chiyani iwe pusi,leave this girl alone,nothing will happen to her .You fire her ,we hire her,the package is very attractive it includes free air ticket to any destination per year ,with a free use of a holiday villa in Cuba,and a rent free flat in London inclusive with free spanish lessons.Howzatt hombre inteligencia,cost umbre que se pierda nada.She wont miss anything you stupid man
Mr Intelligence, You are probably the most stupid intelligence person I have ever seen. And mind what sensitive government documents has Charity leaked? All she is telling us is what she heard from Capital Hill. Its up to us to believe her or not. But by the tone of your comment, Mr Intelligence, we are now forced to believe Charity on an issue which we wouldnt have believed her.
Happy Girl, tell me more about Joyce Banda feeling sidelined. That can make interesting reading.
This is just speculation. Whether you know more or less, it does’nt matter the fact is Malawians are very knowledgeable these days that they will never be taken for granted again. DPP might feel invincible now but that does not mean they will perform as they have done this year come 2014. Its not time to start politiking. Its a long way till the next elections. This is the time for them to impliment policies that have made them excell to power again this year.
For Charity; you better use you working time efficiently rather than wasting your it sniffing for unsubstantiated news.
Intelligence reminds me of the Malawi Young pioneers or “ayufi” as we used to call them always after anyone with a different view to victimise. That era of intimidation is gone, do you remember the UDF’s Young Democrats? Where are they now!!! Licking their WOUNDS. You might be the next one if you continue this sort of behaviour!!!!!! GOD BLESS MALAWI
Charity what you are saying could be true u bear in mind that every government comes and goes. lets leave teh DPP do whatever they can do now. w eput our weight behind the UDF koma they let us down …so tiyeni tingodya nayo DPP through misprocurement
This is a none starter. It has never worked in Malawi
African Democracy!? Democratic might be better than Dictatorship government even though it looks like the system is not working well in most African states. It is bringing opposite benefits apart from freedom people are enjoying (even though not fully enjoying the freedom). A third term is dangerous in several ways. Once gave my comment that I am afraid the government with their majority and yes bwana, they might try to change the number of terms.
*This happened in Venezuela with their popular President Hugo Chavez but they did it though a referendum whereby he failed in his first attempt, but still tried a second attempt which succeeded whether it was through fraud or not, he did it. It is also believed that the now ousted Honduran leader was also trying to change constitution for a third term. This might happen/work with the majority Bingu is having if the story is true and to stop him, it will need efforts within the parliamentary buildings as well as from ordinary citizens.
In my own opinion, it can let the leaders become life presidents as African elections prove that most parties which are in government, doesn’t just lose elections. If we have true fair elections, more transparent, good institutions and governance, a third term wouldn’t be a problem because leaders who are really bringing change can be given chance to continue with their policies.
But remember ethnicity is a problem in this world including the majority of African states, and most of the leaders want all powers, they are more greed that income inequalities is a pressing issue in Africa. A third term will encourage the circle of income inequality; and they easily scare investors whether domestic investors or foreign investors. It will also be a threat to our new democracy considering that most of these leaders worked in one party system era, but the current generation is being exposed to different knew thoughts. Mistakes will most likely change Warm Heart of Africa to Frosty Heart of Africa because this will provoke conflicts.
Whether this is true or not we should play it safe. Those of us that would like to see our country respect the rule of law should also counter this move with another task force. Let’s not wait till 2012 or 2013 to start defending the cause of the law of the land (constitution). Let’s not be fooled “power tends to corrupt, absolute power corrupts absolutely” (Acton). While its good that DPP has the majority I fear that it might be too much power Let’s all unite and preserve the constitution.
I totally agree with Mithi. Let us be proactive and sensitise Malawians against such an evil. The problem is the press in Malawi seems to be slowly growing shy or afraid. The arrest of journalists for flimsy reasons tends to cow the press community. There is an immediate need for a more aggressive and investigative journalism in Malawi that could unearth and communicate issues like these to the greater Malawi population
Parliament will not be used to propagate peoples aspirations. If it does that then we will dismiss it, the people will speak. I agree with Mithi we should take action now agianst there wishes by forming task force to campaign aginst what Bingu aspires to do.
bingu must know that a good number of malawians are bitter with what he did to muluzi. had muluzi been allowed to stand, bingu would not have won the elections. i for one, will not allow him to abuse us for another unconstitutional term period!
Buamann, what did bigu do go muluzi that malawians are bitter about? Not allowing him to stand? Or did bingu send bakili to stael?
IT is very clear that Bingu’s intentions and deeds have always been of dictatorial nature. This also explains the sceptical friendship of the President of Zim with our very own Ngwazi.
If this is true,then it is very unfortunate.We Malawians should be very wise by this time as we have seen the type of leaders we had had in the past years.We should not be fooled up by greedy people who wish to enrich themselves.Wake up!wakeup Malawi.I strongly beleave this is coming from the atidye nawo and not Bingu himself.
hahahaha amalawi this is wat u voted for this wat u get,Bingu is anotha mugabe!!!!14more years of this idiot then im fleeing the country!!!
Muluzi tried this and failed, Bingu should not take Malawians for granted. He should not even try to handover power to his brother, he will see red. This country is not for one person, over my dead body, you will come to know Malawians.
Mtolankhani wina wake 1999, paper sindiyitchula chifukwa pano ndi ya boma idafotokoza kuti Nujoma,Chiluba,Muluzi ndi ena akufuna kusintha malamulo kuti ayimenso.Koma a UDF nthawi imeneyo adatsutsa.Koma patatha kanthawi ndi pamene timamva mawu akuti”Third Term”,Open Term…..Pafuka utsi,Tiyeni tiwadikile timva.
Mwayambapo angulu sizingatheke mumfuse tcheya mwina mukambepo zina two terms its enough muzapatsidwa ulemu waukulu a mose amalimbikira nkhani ngati imeneyi ndi atidye nawo osafuna kusiyana ndi mphika, mukhaula puludzu yemweyo