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.
ee mpandotu uwu niwonona analakwa chani tcheya
What if he dumps DDP as he dumped UDF and forming a new party? Ndiye adzakhala wamuyayatu. Asatikhumudwitse ngati a malume Bob
Bingu! just give that a try you will see what malawians are capable of doing. We like your development agenda. But its a big noooooo! to third term Mr Thom. There are other better presidential candidates in Malawi.
Chondeeeeeeeeeeeeee!! Bwana musazachite ife timakukondani bcoz of ure development agendas.
This is a fabricated story at all cost. Bingu is too smart for such kind of stuff. He did indicate that after 2014 he will head home. this is a kind of a man known to stick to his words. that is the last thing he will do. He has achieved a lot and he cannot afford to dent his good image for an ordinary extra two years. Please feed us with developmental issues and not useless propaganda that would benefit no one except your evil motives.
The site was becoming better and more popular after election if you noticed. Don’t take it backwards.
Democracy is finding its true meaning under Bingu. systems are rediscovering themselves to be more efficient and productive than ever. please he has been disturbed a lot in developing this country give some space so that he should live up to his dream!!
BINGU IS TOO SMART FOR THIRD TERM!!!!
Mpando watonona mbuyache…
BTW Presidents serve in their personal capacity such that changing parties between terms or mid stream of a term does not affect the application of the term limitation. Bingu is in his second and final term.
That should surely be a cooked story. The man is smart and I believe he deserves the Mo Ibrahim award after stepping down. I will be the last person to believe that he will consent to the needs of the cowards who understand that they will never become presidents and so the only way to keep their stomachs protruding is by turning the Man of the People into a useless dictator. May God curse them for trying to turn the President into the world’s laughing stock.
Palibe chodabwitsa apa the man’s middle name is unpredictable, so even if he initially promised not stand again he can change when he feels like it, he publicly declared it & thats what it means to be unpredictable! why are people acting surprised then?? He is UNPREDICTABLE!!!!! meaning anything is possible!
Aksante President Bingu wa Mutarika,we needed you but to abide our Malawi constitution and you being a man of principles,we hesitately say bye bye by 2014. Let us build a trend just like Tanzanians presidents peaceful handlings!!
Go ahead Bingu with third. We need your development achenda.No mphwepwa. ABingu wooyeeeeeee.2020 woo