Atupele refuses to withdraw from Malawi presidential race: UDF will not give in,  not give up

United Democratic Front (UDF) president Atupele Austin (AA) Muluzi has vowed not pull out of the country’s presidential race on May 21 2019  refuting  social media speculations that he has withdrawn from the  elections race.

Atupele: I am not prepared to withdraw, I will go to the very end

There has been propaganda that the youthful Atupele has withdrawn from the race because the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) has offered the  UDF K5 billion in order to endorse their presidential ticket.

Atupele, who picked Karonga Central legislator Frank Mwenifumbo as his running mate,  dismissed the reports as fake news.

“My beloved Malawians, we have not accepted any payment nor bribe from the DPP to withdraw from the election. Bribery does not have a domain in UDF and I myself personally, that’s why I have served in sundry ministerial positions of the incumbent government,” said AA Muluzi in a statement seen by Nyasa Times on Tuesday.

AA  Muluzi presented his presidential nomination papers on his UDF ticket while still serving as Minister of Health in  the Peter Mutharika administration.

Atupele said UDF  will  contest the tripartite  elections at all levels;  presidential, parliamentary and local government.

“This whole claim is a mere political propaganda coined by the failed political elements who are dreading the raging UDF fire ahead of the May elections,” said AA Muluzi.

The 40-year-old politician said he finds the “whole fabrication laughable and surprising.”

UDF supporters escorting Atupele and Mwenifumbo during nominations of papers in Blantyre

He stated: “ UDF is a very big institution and entity on this country’s political arena, and my presentation of presidential nomination papers only communicates volumes about the party’s intent to compete and not just participate in the May elections. We are priceless, too good and big a party to be bought by money of any amount and withdrawing from the race cannot just be an act of greed but also a display of betrayal to our beloved Malawians of brimming proportions.”

AA Muluzi said UDF is a party that is built on strong foundations of serving this country’s citizenry with profound love and tranquillity “and it remains our relentless zeal to jealously safeguard these pillars.”

He said: “Our wish is to serve Malawians from the many challenges facing them, and this can only be achieved if we assume the country’s driving seat.”

DPP spokesperson Nicholas Dausi described the move by Muluzi to contests as an exercise of his political and constitutional rights.

But Ernest Thindwa, a political analyst based at the University of Malawi’s Chancellor College, expressed skepticism on Muluzi’s commitment to the presidential bid when he is in the Cabinet of a President he is seeking to unseat.

Atupele was drafted into Mutharika’s Cabinet in 2014 and has served in several portifolios. His UDF entered into a parliamentary working relationship with DPP and in the run-up to the presentation of presidential election nomination papers, it was widely speculated that he would be Mutharika’s running mate.

The UDF has several times dismissed that it was not in an electoral alliance with DPP.

Prior to the May 20 2014 Tripartite Elections Muluzi resigned from the Cabinet of then president Joyce Banda.

UDF spokesperson Ken Ndanga insisted  the party would contest in the elections

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Mr. Ibu
5 years ago

This UDF is finished like makatani. It will never rule Malawi again by whatever means even through back door. Dyera likuyambira kwa Muluzi senior down to his children. Kkkkkkkkk mbite.

BigMan
BigMan
5 years ago

The problem with Malawi is politicians think Malawians are stupid. The udf is wirking hand in hand with dpp in an attempt to stifle the opposition votes. Udf has reduced itself to a condom used by their masters the DPP. Its shameful.

Mbakavu
Mbakavu
5 years ago

I told you folks that if Atuu had done this he could have been a biggest loser in the arrangement. Atuu knows this from his hearts of hearts. What is at stake now is sustaining his polical career. Let him consolidate his base enough for the future.

kachamba
kachamba
5 years ago

UDF and DPP you are playing old tricks a Malawi tu anachangamuka munaphatikizana kale mwalepherera limodzi nothing new here mulira pa 21 May pano

Chifundo
Chifundo
5 years ago

Good to be valiant and fight a battle you know you will lose. You have earnt respect for not being a sell-out politician but a gentleman will not succeed in politics I’m afraid

Nyadaufe
5 years ago

This boy should not deny this news, He has already received the money which he is going give a percentage to Mwenifumbo. If Mwenifumbo is truly for UDF ideology why is he insisting on standing for a Parliamentary race on AFORD ticket? Look, this kind of Greed is what brought about colonialism in this country and Jumbe the slave trader managed to convert many people along the Southern Lake District of Mangochi that spread to neighbouring district of Kasupe (Machinga).

Chriss
Chriss
5 years ago

”…not accepted …from DPP” meaning ka mk5 bn kanabwera heti….

Apumbwa
Apumbwa
5 years ago

Was the MK 5 billion offered?? Yes or no?

Mwana wa Nankhoma
Mwana wa Nankhoma
5 years ago

AAM ali mu mdima, sakuziwa zimene akuchita

Duncan
5 years ago

Akuluwa bvuto ndi dyera.
Please tell the nation if the MK5 billion was offered to you that you have not accepted.
Wachedwa nazo zoyang’ana mumphika mwaeni.
Another clueless young man.

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