Peter Mutharika is not American citizen says Ntaba
Malawi’s Justice and Constitutional Affairs, Prof Peter Mutharika who is likely succeed President Bingu wa Mutharika when his term ends in 2014 is not an American citizen as speculated.
President Mutharika paved way for his younger brother, a learnt lawyer to succeed him when he said Prof Mutharika has a right to contest for any public position.
However, some comments from a story which appeared on Nyasa Times indicated that Prof Mutharika who worked as Professor of Law at Washington University at St. Louis is American citizen.
Malawi laws bar dual citizenship.
But spokesman for the governing DPP, Dr Hetherwick Ntaba rebutted the claims saying the younger Mutharika is Malawian proper.
“The President was just saying that Prof Peter Mutharika is a Malawian because some people have been saying he is an American citizen. So as a Malawian citizen he is entitled to contest for any position,” said Ntaba.
He said the President’s statement that his brother can contest for any position has been welcomed by the party.
“The DPP has no problems whatsoever with what the President said,” Ntaba said.
Social and political analyst Rafiq Hajat said the President statement has proved that contenders such as Speaker Henry Chimunthu Banda, Local Government Minister Goodall Gondwe, lawmakers Henry Phoya and Henry Mussa were being sidelined in the succession plan.
“I think certainly there is an element of friction,” said Hajat head of Blantyre-based think-tank Institute for Policy Interaction (IPI).
But Ntaba dismissed any fears of civil-war in DPP.
“There are no conflicts in the party. That conflict is being created by you people in the media,” Ntaba told Capital FM radio.
University of Malawi, Chancellor College political analysts, Mustapha Hussein said Malawians will have a final say in choosing the next leader.
“People may be thinking of grooming of making the path smooth for the brother but in any case, let us remember it is people who are going to choose their leaders and I think Malawians are wise enough to know who can be an accepted leader,” said Hussein.
President Mutharika is barred by the Constitution to seek re-election when his mandate ends in May 2014. The President has clearly said he will not prolong his stay in power not even by a day.
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