Callista ignites Malawi presidential age-limit debate 

Human  rights groups and civil rights organizations are saying the country needs to start debate on presidential age limits. following former First Lady Callista Mutharika’s assertion that  incumbent Peter Mutharika—who is her brother in-law—is too ‘aged’  to rule the country.

Callista Mutharika: “Chilima is a hope for a better Malawi and can rule this country to a better direction because of his young age
Munthali: Don’t dismiss old age theory
President Mutharika and vice-president Saulos Chilima

Callista married former president Bingu wa Mutharika when he was advanced in age.

George Phiri from Livingstonia University said the the ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) can borrow a leaf from Zimbabwe where president Robert Mugabe was ousted out of power from a party he founded.

“Mugabe became too old to rule the country that is why he was ousted from power,” said Phiri.

He said it was doubtful that at his age, Mutharika can perform his official duties effectively.

The DPP is rejecting calls for Mutharika to cede power to veep Chilima.

Civil society leader Rafiq Hajat said the DPP would perform badly if it dropped Chilima as running mate to the president.

Governance commentator Makhumbo Munthlai told Nyasa Times that the age theory should not just be easily dismissed.

“In fact, even in the event that Mutharika decides to stand whatever decision which the DPP will have to make on the runningmate shall be influenced by the age theory. Certainly, there should be some within the DPP who may feel insecure of putting either Saulos Chilima or Atupele Muluzi as running mates purely based on the fears of incapacitation of the Mutharika due to old age as this might mean the duo jumping into driving seat”.

He added: “My observation is that President Mutharika may not be in control of the choice of the runningmate and even his own candidature in 2019 as these decisions have to be made by the inner circle with the ultimate agenda of protecting and preserving their agenda.

“So Mutharika’s old age may not only be the concern of the so-called Chilima or Calista camp but also the inner circle of DPP who might now be in control of key party or government decisions. No wonder some like Ben Phiri have already started making themselves known politically by campaigning for DPP beyond. This should give you a hint of the so-called plan B in the case that Mutharika does not stand or even if he stands there has to be an already existing strategy to replace him after 2019- a strategy that is founded in advancing the  nepotistic agenda.”

Malawi flagship newspaper, the Daily Times on Wednesday editorial comment said the country needs a young leader now than ever before.

“We need a vibrant young leader with a vision to lead this country to prosperity. We do not need an aging leader suffering from a crisis of confidence to lead us when everyone around us is moving towards prosperity,’’ the paper said.

However, other commentators say people should avoid age discrimination.

Presidential  press secretary and spokesperson Mgeme Kalilani  has said Mutharika will seek a new mandate in presidential elections set for 2019 as he is fit to run the affairs of the country.

“As far as we are concerned, the president is fit and of good sound health. He has not complained of anything such that he will contest in the forthcoming elections in 2019,” he said.

Kalilani said the comments by the former first lady were “unfortunate and the nation should not take them seriously.”

The former first lady told private television station Zodiak Broadcasting Station that  President Mutharika has been surrounded by what she described as “beasts of prey” who are messing up his administration taking advantage of the president’s advanced age.

The Constitution prescribes 35 as the minimum age for a presidential candidate, But is silent on the maximum age for Presidents.

 

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Shithole Tribe
6 years ago

Izi zachoka ku banja kwa Muthalika. She is an insider and knows Muthalikas much better than any of us. Those who held the press conference today 12th April 2018 are the beasts that are feasting on the old age of Pitala. Mphepo yalowa ku dpp. Engine yayamba kutulutsa utsi.

dada
dada
6 years ago

Kodi Callister akuganiza kuti dziko lingasinthe policy yaikulu chifukwa cha family misunderstanding? government is a serious business. kodi Chilima ndiyemwe angadzakuthandize kulanda Bingu’s estate from rightfull owners? nanga atadzawina chakwera osati chilima, chakwerayo adzakuthandizani pa nkhani za m’banja mwanu? pitani kwa ankhoswe a Matabwa akakuthandizeni, akugulileni malo ndi kukumangilani nyumba. malo omwe akugulileniwo mukhozanso kuwatchula kuti ndata2. osanamizila ndale apa. Calistter .. you should not use a national heavey scad missile to kill a mosquito. you will miss it

diso
diso
6 years ago

though he is fit BUT tikuti a Pitalawo akula, apume we need energetic young people to lead this country chonde ; May Almighty tipulumutseni

ching'alang' ambe
ching'alang' ambe
6 years ago
Reply to  diso

Kodi a callista sanamuze Bingu bwanji zimemezi nthawi yawo ankadilila chiyani? Amkafuna chuma basi.A Peter asachoke. Life begins @ 40. Bravo APM ndiwe wathu piriliza yu have our full support.

Hatton
Hatton
6 years ago

How old is Chakwera? Of course it is a known fact that the youngest MCP youth is 92 years old. Why was Chakwera uncomfortable with the youthful Jumbe. Obama, the youthful USA president, was succeeded by Trump. MCP please answer these questions; is Trump younger than Obama? How old is Macron’s vice? How old is Markel, the German Chancelor? How old was Kamazu when he was defeated by Bakili? Where were the youth at that time? For sure Chakwera and Mia are not young. When are they being removed to pave way for the youthful Msowoya and Sosten Gwengwe? The… Read more »

Binnwell Kachikopa
6 years ago
Reply to  Hatton

You have lost the whole sense of the story, its about presidential age not mutharika age, if mutharika is in that old age blacket then he must go, Comprehession munkakhoza zero inu muziwerenga nkhani bwinobwino

Reader
6 years ago

hahahahaha!!!!! mukuti a Hatton ankakhoza zero comprehession, kkkkkkkkkkkkkk

Pido
Pido
6 years ago

the story is more of the Muthalika age and less of presidential age limit. By the way; are we able to notice that these so called old guyd (Peter and Goodal) are the ones that have managed to put inflation to single digit? – That is , coming from the background of a much younger woman president who took inflation to nose diving records. Maybe the argument should not be age; but rather, competence and ability to manage people that can deliver. Calista married Bingu at a much older age that the current age of Peter. Is she trying to… Read more »

AgeGate.
AgeGate.
6 years ago

This Hatton n Santana are the worst guys I hv ever seen when it comes to reasoning.
Apart from age issue Muthalika Pitala gas failed big time that’s why pipo will say many things beyond age.
Chipani Cha DPP chagwanikana. Mufune musafune. It is clear it is divided and disappointed members will support opposition.

Kamba
Kamba
6 years ago
Reply to  Hatton

Sawerenga nkhani awa, chifukwa palibe chomwe amamvapo, nanga with PSLCE that Hatton has amvapo chani apa? Kkkkkkkk

Donald Kilintoni
Donald Kilintoni
6 years ago
Reply to  Hatton

FOR ME ANYONE EQUATING OUR SITUATION TO TRUMP/ OBAMA’S IS SHORT SIGHTED, ARE YOU SAYING WE SHOULD REPLACE APM WITH SOMEBODY OLDER THAN HIM, EEEH TAYANKHANI, EEH???? WHY STILL STUCK IN MYOPIC REASONING OF THE COLONIAL ERA (BORROWING EVERYTHING INCLUDING IDEAS FROM THE WHITE MAN)????? IF A GUEST OF HONOUR AND MAIN SPEAKER AT A FUNCTION CAN FORGET WHY HE IS PRESIDING OVER SUCH A FUNCTION THEN HOW ELSE DO YOU DESCRIBE HIM/HER??? PEOPLE, HOW DO YOU TRACE A ROTTEN FISH?? START FROM THE TOP VIA CAPITAL HILL ALL THE WAY DOWN TO THE LOCAL ASSEMPLIES THEN YOU WILL UNDERSTAND… Read more »

Vison
Vison
6 years ago
Reply to  Hatton

Koma Inu a HATTON, mumutumo muli nzeru? Nkhani mukunena inu ndiye iti?

Sekanawon
Sekanawon
6 years ago
Reply to  Hatton

Mr hatton kaya katoni zikuoneka kuti mulindimavuto ambiri moti ndizotheka kuti dzinari silanuso. Talk about other issues not comparing ( Pitara) and our president Dr Luzzaras Chakwera. Aaa moti wekha sukuona?Walemba zambiri zofunika kuti tikukoze, nthawi imene Kamuzu was president kunali zipani zambiri? Kunali chipani chimodzi kunalibe otsutsa. Ok trump ungafanizire nkharambayakoyo trump is 72 and Obama he was become the president at the age 46 and left at the age 53. German vice chancellor she is 63. Sankhapo amene ukuona ngati angafanane ndi old agry sherek wakoyo. demn it…!!

The voice
6 years ago

If a civil servant is supposed to retire at 60 years why should someone ruling the whole country rule beyond 60….there is lack of logic there…..infact as we age beyond 25 years the brain begins to age and if it’s true that our presdent has had a stroke then it’s a bad sign that he definitely is not in the category of superagers rather he is getting massive brain atrophy ….which incapacitate ones thinking…..certainly not fit to handle the stress that comes with the big office

Ndatopa Ine
Ndatopa Ine
6 years ago

Well, if we have qualification ‘discrimination’ on the candidature of the presidency then there is no reason for anyone to cry it’s discrimatory to impose age limits on the same. And I personally find it very sensible to enact such limitations for the important fact that as we grow old our wit, gumptions and work rate deteriorates and we are witnesses to the fact with the incumbent leader.
Let’s do this for the love of our mother Malawi and not for a few gluttonous individuals

chikoti
chikoti
6 years ago

I like Japan..it has old people in power for mature decisions..just look at how some comment on this page.do you expect a well groomed class of people who can make decisions bases on integrity etc..even callista herself is saying all these out of irrelevant issues ..pera ok al pride is at stake here..iyaaaa

Kamba
Kamba
6 years ago
Reply to  chikoti

Fortunately, Malawi is not Japan kkkkkkkkk

kaka ni dada
kaka ni dada
6 years ago

Let’s make Chakwera president basi, a Pitala akalambitsa

Mpolokwa
Mpolokwa
6 years ago

This is the only way to go. APM already told us that Saulos Chilima is his son. How can you re with your son. You better go home and rest. We need buddies to rule this country.

JOHN
JOHN
6 years ago

BINGU ALSO USED TO TELL US THAT HE WAS STRONG LIKE CHISULO CHA NJANJE. BUT WHAT HAPPENDED. HE SUCCUMBED TO HEART ATTACK. YOU CAN BE FIT TODAY AND THINGS CAN CHANGE WITHIN A SHORT PERIOD OF TIME.

gwamula
gwamula
6 years ago
Reply to  JOHN

Heart attack sikukhudzana ndi age ndi vuto la mthupi mwina simukudziwa pitani mukafunse ozitsata akuchipatala akulu.mukuoneka kuti simukudziwa inunso ikhoza kukuwazani siwona msinkhu.

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