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.
I have chosen to reserve my comment on his matter because Nyasa times have in the past told us stories which never came to pass. I thought when something to be real news, there is need on the part of the writer to be resourceful in order to give people which they they can call ‘good food’. Not everything edible.Writers should not take advantage of their readership to tell them anything. Yes, we need to hear what is happening around us but avoid giving something fit for malnourished people/children.
Lets look at Bingu.He is old enough to think of leadership beyond 2014. He is a man who went to school and knows better that any attempts to change the constitution to accommodate more years for him after 2014 would not be an easy ride. Bingu also knows what happened to Bakili. He knows more than you and me. Yes, dictatorship elements can be available in a leader and for purposes of knowledge, some leaders can combine all the leadership styles that are there if the situation permits them to do so. You have to know that are dictatorships in families, companies, schools and in all mankind. So a dictator could be there before 2014 but for him to be fully known by people, its not easy. This is not the time Malawians would go for a dictator again in the name of Bingu. You have to know that God loves Malawi and will do anything to make sure His people are led by those who fear Him.
Nyasatimes should also know that its not fare to just bring up a story in order to see people’s reactions. Whether one likes it or not, Bingu is finishing his two consecutive terms in office and once he has done his days, he will have to leave office for someone to take over from him beyond 2014.
Finally, lets us remember that it is the same Bingu who strongly told Malawians that he would not allow Bakili to come back to power. Though it was not him who barred Muluzi from contesting, but the truth remains that he has been vindicated.
AMALAWI TIYENI TISANGOSOKOSA ZIRI ZONSE…. SIMPHAVU SINKHONDO KOMA NDI MZIMU WA AMBUYE UMENE UMAPANGITSA ZINTHU KUTI ZIKACHITIKE MOLINGANA NDI CHIFUNIRO CHAKE OSATI CHA MUNTHU WA CHIKOPA CHA NYAMA.
A bwana george, I thought you started by saying that you have chosen to reserve your comment on this matter then what is the long sermon all about???? if it is not a comment or reaction to this article then what do you call it! Koma inu This world of ours!!!! zina ukaona kamba anga mwala!!!!! Just comment basi osamatinamiza love or hate it Nyasa Times cannot be ignored!!!!
Ntchito iyo akulu akulu, Africans do not read, learn and reflect on the their history.
Munthu ameneyu tingomunthawila Mmalawi muno.
kaya ife ndiye tinathawa kale. george notts
Ohhh tsono za Prof. Peter was just a lie? Lets wait and see….go on Bingu whether you want to rule for the next 50 years its your choice ndizimene anthu opepela akuno ku Malawi amafuna tiye nawo aise bola ine i didn’t vote for u so i have nothing to lose mtima ndinalimba. Onana miloto mapwiya mphwiti hehehe!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Iwe Leston uchenjele udzapita limodzi ndi agogo akowo. Bola uzingozuza anthu ako antchito kusiyana ndi izi wayambazi.
kodi inu musamatisokose ndi khani zanu zopanda mutu zi,ngati mwakhuta budweiser kapena lambrin mungokhala chete
Let me propose names of high profile Malawian to be on this noble committee:
Hon Kwauli Msiska MP; Hon Puludzu JZU Tembo MP(Njobvu No 1; X-President of the Republic of Malawi Bakili Muluzi(Nobvu No 2); Former Hon Dr Nga Ntafu (of your are stupid fame in parlament); Secretary General-UDF; and all those who wanted open term or third term for Muluzi.
These people do appreciate the need for awarding a third term to incumbet president. Give the the task to come up with modalities.
Yah!.i and my peaple,we are going to support you Mr President,carry on.
But am not saying kuti enawo ndi MADEYA…………AYI………Kungoti……Mr President you deserve it ,even 54 terms.
But still more i have to think about that before i can allow you,with your committe.
For know you can stop,
Talk to you later………….
Izi ndiye zaugalu zeniX2. Koma kamunthu kameneka kativuta zedi.
Nawenso Leston ingokhala chete, uzingolimbana ndi alimi omwe umaberawo basi. Ifetu ndi anthu ozindikira.
This is my message to Mr President. If what we are hearing is true, then I dont know what I respect you for. You see, I have never voted for you before. I voted for Puludzu because I didnt see the need for that. I didnt know you. But your landslide victory changed things inside me. I was humbled and left me on my knees. The truth remains you are one of the greatest sons of our nation but this suggestion will erode every form of respect p’ple have on you because at the end of the day you will not succeed.Please stop it before you are embarrassed like your predecessor Bakili.
This is being debated on the BBC website, the census is that the reason we have democracy is for Tyrants and Dictators should be given free reign to rule for life. Here is the debate: http://newsforums.bbc.co.uk/nol/thread.jspa?sortBy=1&forumID=6769&start=150&tstart=0&edition=1&ttl=20090721131757#paginator
Bingu patsogolo,chonde amalawi kumayamika
mzanu akapanga bwino.Kumbukirani zaka ten zija mbuyomu.Taona zambiri enafe koma Bingu wakwaniritsa komanso apitiriza kupangila AMALAWI za bwino.GOD SHOULD BLESS BINGU.