Kaliati hails Chilima for aborting plans to contest in Malawi ruling DPP polls
One of the ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) top officials in so-called Chilima Movement pushing for the candidacy of Vice-President Saulos Chilima in the 2019 elections, Patricia ‘Akweni’ Kaliati has said Chilima made a brilliant decision to abort his plans to vie for DPP party presidency, saying the playing field was not leveled.
In an interview, Kaliati who is Mulanje West MP, said by withdrawing from the DPP poll charade, he has spared the spilling of blood.
“The decision is a true reflection of a true leadership. Some of the boys the DPP has not paid came to us and told us of the sinister plans at the convention,” the former Cabinet Minister said.
Kaliati said the movement would not disband after Chilima’s withdrawal from the DPP presidential race but would be strengthened awaiting the next Chilima political move.
She predicted there would be mass exodus to the movement from the DPP.
Chilima also disclosed that he will not attend the much awaited convention.
“For now as the DPP has announced that it is holding its convention in June, I have decided not to contest for any position in DPP at the forthcoming party’s convention, let alone challenge the party’s presidency,” he said.
He also took advantage of the conference to wish all delegates to the convention the best of luck and God’s blessings as they chart a new chapter in the DPP.
This is the first time that Chilima, 45, has addressed the nation amid rising tension in the country two months after the former first lady Callista Mutharika endorsed him for presidency thanks to an unprecedented leadership challenge his backers in the ruling party have mounted against his boss and the incumbent president, Peter Mutharika.
Callitsa urged his brother in-law President Prof Arthur Peter Mutharika, 79, to step down citing old age to continue with a political career.
Chilima, therefore, thanked President Mutharika for choosing him as the DPP presidential running mate in the 2014 elections.
He said it is in the spirit of serving the nation that he, four years ago, left the private sector and joined politics to put in his shift.
“At that time, I accepted to partner Prof Arthur Peter Mutharika and successfully run on the ticket of the DPP. Although this was a huge personal sacrifice, it surely pales in comparison to the incredible sacrifices of our forbearers,” said Chilima.
Chilima started reading out his prepared statement with a history of the road to Malawi’s independence through the fight and sacrifices that the county’s forefathers from all corners of the country undertook to bring the freedom the country enjoys today.
He, however, expressed concern, claiming it was sad to note that though our forefathers fought for the country; Malawi has been destroyed through nepotism.
Asked why he has decided not to contest despite calls by some quarters in the DPP for him to stand as the party’s torch bearer in the 2019 polls, the Vice President said it is a personal decision which he has made.
“The decision I have made is not out of fear as some quarters are saying, but I do not want to be seen to be causing confusion. I do not want to be perceived to fight the owners of the party,” he said.
Chilima has since not made any indication of contesting in the 2019 polls whether through a political party or an independent candidate.
Meanwhile, some sympathizers of the Vice President have formed what is dubbed as Chilima Movement to drum up support for the second citizen.
Asked if his decision will not frustrate his followers, the vice president said it is humbling for people to consider him as a presidential material but said could not answer on their behalf.
He observed that the people behind that are Malawians who are exercising their freedom which he said is acceptable in a democracy.
He emphasized that the people behind the Chilima Movement are not sent by him but are doing so on their own accord.
“Let me thank the special people who have created a movement dubbed Chilima Movement for the courage and determination shown to date. I’m humbled with the confidence they have placed in me. I’m sure they are following a cause and that is democracy,” said the vice president.
Chilima, therefore, urged all Malawians of voting age to participate in the forthcoming general elections by registering in order to vote.
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Kaliyati is one of the well experienced decision makers in Malawian politics. Mark my words, this is the downfall of Dpp,,, you cant intimidate Akweni. A strong wind of change is coming by another strong movement
Patricia kaliyati remains one of the few women who are critical decision madere in Malawian politics. If you think kaliyati will fall as an mp shame guys. Kaliyati is a well experienced politician.
DPP are following the following the footsteps of the ayimanso udf which was characteriyezd by violence by Marshal in Lilongwe, Zimba and Henry Moyo in Kasungu and many other in Blantyre. At least during Bingu’s days dpp was a very decent party and the likes of Zimba were pushed aside and he died miserably. Bingu left the scandalous udf and formed dpp and many Malawians loved him. This APM is different and is a violent man. It is true that he is not a good leader. He doesnot have leadership traits and has taken Malawi backwards. We saw the Ntopwa Osman terrorizing the young man in MCP. We saw violence in Mulanje By-elections. We saw violence at Parliament building. We must be aware of dpp and Chilima would not have been welcome at the staged convention.
I hope he makes it to presidency. Malawi needs such a leader with vision. Sad that nkhalamba (as they always do in Africa) has decided to cling on to power.
Read the bible you fools! This toung is a good tool when used properly but can land you into trouble. Wait and see what this poor young man will do and comment!
Muchedwa ndi kutukwana kunamizira Bible. Anzanu ali buzy kupemphera akadzapambana mudzidzati abela. Shame
koma ndiye wagwilitsa bomba la nuclear shame chilima movement
Chilima has not acted alone – his brother-in-law Justin Malewezi is behind this move. The advice he got is wonderful, he is still young and has young children to raise and politics has no future in Malawi.
PAAPA, utayaluke ndiwe. siunati
mzungu ndiwe chitsiru.
chilima wachita bwino, peter akanakupha thru kamchacha
Be analytical in your understanding of issues. Kaliati is a politician and what she has said speak volumes and volumes of issues. The Chilima Movement has come to stay. Mind you, each and every step Chilima is taking, is analytical.
However, DPP will never be the same. Another faction will is in the making and it is coming out soon. Mark my word. DPP will be fighting three factions within the party.
Even if DPP teams up with Atupele Mluzi, things will never be the same. The old crones like Mussa and Chaponda will cause problems.
Chimanga chimalora opanda mano. I fail to understand why Patricia Kaliyati got married leaving the innocent, well behaved, beautiful women around Malawi. This world is crazy I tell you people. You will all agree with me that Patricia has been a hate to many Malawians due to her behavior which is unbecoming and to see that she is going, this is good riddance. I tell you this is the end of Patricia kulibenso angamulembe ntchito an idiot like this
Brain manager ukunama. Kaliati will maintain her seat. Don’t cheat yourself with your poor analyticla skills.
Yes, she will maintain her seat but she will remain in opposition coz what ever she is doing now is out of frustration not good will. Mark my words.
The wise don’t open their mouth too quickly. They stop to think, look at the context, infer, draw conclusions and offer counsel. Only Jehovah knows the future! Psalm 75:6
Kalindo will follow Chilima ku Airtel as Sales agent; Kaliati as receptionist; Masangwi as Marketing Manager; Callista as cleaner and tea maker. Together they will form Airtel Drama Group. Or they will form Chilima Band. Si Chilima watenga zida zake.
Mzungu don’t threaten Kaliati you are among the idiots who hav destroyed this country. Shame on you shame on the future of your children. Nepotism and corruption will take us nowhere
Akweni ndiye muzitani? Don’t fight unnecessary battles mwanva? Kumutukwana Pitala chonchija. Do you remember what happened after 1964 cabinet crisis? Especially to the supporters of the rebels. You attacked now ready for the counter attack. Tikubwera konko
Rubbish
Kwatentha!! You blindly created a movement which you have all along been insisting on understanding that Chilima was your torchbearer. A political carpet is removed from your feet you’ve no specific agenda as the DPP convention draws near. Hibernation offers your crew the exit otherwise your political platform has collapsed with a lot of costs prestige of various personalities has suffered the injuries are immense. The only beneficiary in this saga is Callista who thinks about the half billion kwacha our courts won’t pass any judgment any sooner why? Awaiting the signal from the Attorney General she will be 79 when the courts finally pass the judgment. The Chilima circus that gripped our attention is on its deathbed. The deep wounds within DPP mustn’t be ignored the party is a mortuary case no longer in the ICU the shroud is in the hands of undertakers
Watch the space and wait for Chilima’s next move.
Akweni, accept that you have been shamed. Just shut up now, mwayaluka.
Just wait and see.