Chakwera says Mutharika running scared and paranoid: Malawi govt should deal with widening inequalities and rising corruption 

President Peter Mutharika is panicking that a combination of rising unemployment, economic decay, pending mass protests to demand transformational leadership would result in ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) losing the 2019 elections through the ballot, Malawi Congress Party (MCP) President Lazarus Chakwera has observed.

Chakwera has since questioned Mutharika’s logic over accusations that the opposition leader pushed a regime-change agenda through the rejected Electoral Reforms Bills.

President Mutharika described Chakwera as ‘a foul mouthed reverend’.

Drifting away from his prepared speech during the groundbreaking ceremony for a five-star hotel project and business centre in Blantyre,  Mutharika  said Chakwera, who trailed him in the 2014 presidential race, was conniving with what he called misguided faith leaders to bring down his government.

But in his reaction, Chakwera described the President’s sentiments as unfortunate, saying the  greatest threat to Mutharika’s presidency include the unemployed, homeless, hungry and individuals who see no light  in Malawi under corrupt and nepotistic DPP administration.

Chakwera dismissed Mutharika’s claim that he pushed a regime-change agenda through the rejected Electoral Reforms Bills.

“If that is how he interprets it, how the intelligence works and how he reasons, then no wonder this country is in trouble,” said Chakwera

“Is he that scared? Is that his level of reasoning? Is that the level of intelligence he gets to and the conclusion he makes? How does that tally? Who does he think we are?” wondered Chakwera .

Mutharika lashed out at the opposition, accusing it of plotting to topple his government by December 31 2017.

But MCP has since said widening inequalities  and rising corruption  are creating tension  among people which is a threat  to Mutharika’s presidency.

The opposition has since called on DPP administration to deal with  corruption in government and tackling  concerns arising from  lack of jobs, poverty  and limited  business opportunity  for  Malawians.

Chakwera pledges to fight corruption and pursue a policy of radical economic transformation if elected as President in 2019 polls.