Chilima challenged to declare stand on Malawi presidential bid
Commentators have challenged Vice President Saulos Chilima to come out clear on calls by some ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) members that he should be the party’s torchbearer at the expense of incumbent Peter Mutharika for 2019 polls.
The Chilima-for-president movement is reportedly gaining momentum within the DPP as many members are coming out open to back the Veep towards a presidential run.
However, President Mutharika has declared he will seek re-election while Chilima has been quite on the matter, prompting commentators asking him to take a stand.
Governance expert and political commentator Mankhumbo Munthali said Chilima’s continued silence on 2019 Tripartite elections candidature in the midst of the current Chilima-for-presidency crusade would be perceived as lack of decisive leadership which the Episcopal Conference of Malawi through the Pastoral letter recently bemoaned as absent in Malawi political leaders.
He said sadly Chilima has remained quiet despite the fact that the political landscape is becoming more tense each passing day with those who are publicly spearheading his candidature being exposed to more risks and danger.
“Leaders should be bold enough to own and defend their decisions in public,” Munthali told Nyasa Times.
He said Chilima should demonstrate that he is not afraid to take decisive decisions on issues that matter for fear of burning their fingers.
“Its high time Chilima came out of his cacoon and publicly declare whether he wants to challenge President Mutharika at the convention or not rather parading himself as someone who doesn’t know what is happening. Morally and ethically, it would be dangerous as a country to usher into power cowards as leadership demands boldness.
“Let him clear himself on this one in the best interest of both the party and also those that are spearheading the Chilima for presidency candidature. After all, its accepted in democracy to challenge your party leader at a convention,” Munthali said.
He said the issue of DPP presidential race- just like that of other parties – is of paramount concern not only to the party but also to the general public because the one who is to lead the party in the 2019 elections is potentially the next President of Malawi.
“As such they must all be subjected to a fair public scrutiny the very moment they declare they want to lead Malawi,” he said.
And in his post, columnist Idriss Ali Nassah said Chilima has to show his hand, sooner rather than late, arguing that the ultimate prize will not be handed to him, one way or the other.
“He has to make a credible brave claim for it—or it will go to others, the likes of Malawi Congress Party (MCP) leader Lazarus Chakwera, who are not ambivalent about their intentions,” wrote Nassah.
“The saying goes that a man who hangs around a beautiful girl without declaring his intentions will end up fetching water for guests at her wedding,” he added.
Nassah said while the nation expects the Vice-President to be brave in declaring his intentions, the mission to remake Malawi cannot be, and should not be, Chilima’s alone.
He wrote: “Without doubt, the renaissance Malawians seek needs bold messengers to carry forward the flame of renewal, of hope, of a brandnew beginning for country and for self.”
The columnist urges the church to play its role and guide the people to a leader who will do good by Malawi, for Malawi.
Efforts to speak to office of the vice president also proved futile as Chilima’s press secretary Pilirani Phiri could not pick up our calls on numerous attempts.
Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV :
Those who are saying let chilima come out now just shows that you dont know tactical politics. Chilima`s audience are aware of his stand except the outsiders such as those in APM camp. When you know that your friend is more powerful, at times a surprise blow works miracles. Goliath did not know what was coming from the young David until he was down dead!!!!
This is politics and Chilima is a polititian. Let him do what s best for him. Anything he does will help to judge him whether he is a good leader or not.
veep is a man of God, b4 reply he needs wisdom from above & confirmation from God.
Man of God ndi Chakweratu. Uyu koma akuyendera Proverbs 17:28
Chilima is not a politician but a technocrat not fit for presidency. he is playing hide and seek and want people to fight for him. Very timid guy and indecisive. Let come out and face moya during convention where he will fall and end his career r and return to airtel
Why is anybody forcing Chilima to declare his interest in the presidency? Silence is golden so the saying goes. Those making noises on behalf of Chilima should go out and qualify their noises than try to drag him into their shenanigans.
We all know Chilima makes questionable decisions in life. First, he joined DPP, the party we all did not want to return to power because of the evils that Bingu has done to millions of Malawians. He did not talk much during campaigns but gave people the confidence that he was new blood to be trusted any way. Chilima is such a leader who has never spoken from his heart. He has never said anything worth remembering as to what he really believes in Malawi politics. He is a faithful Catholic and really portrays a good man out there, but we do not know him as a political leader. So will he speak? I doubt! Should we trust him? No. He is acting like a child who needs others to feed him, to die for him, to burn their fingers for him, to speak for him! This is what Goodal was talking about! “Leadership is not for children”
bodza usayankhule chilima.ukayankhula peter akupha. paja saopa kupha anthu amenewa anayamwira kwa mai awo
Inu mukuti ndi Pitala anzanuso momwemo mu DHIPHWIPHWI NDI A cHILIMA NDIYE MUTIBWANJISO mutu wanu wasiyakugwira ntchito
Chilima akatengenso zikwanje zake. Both are loser
Which church should guide Malawians? Who need their guidance? Are we involved when they choose their albino killing infested priests? God forbid!!! We will pray for a president and the God I know and worship will guide us. Not these wolves masquerading as sheep.
Which God will be busy waiting for your prayers? Hahahahahahaha if 2014 you prayed and you have the answer to day, am praying that you should not participate this time because your prayers brings no answer but courses to our beautiful Country. Hahahahahahahaha!
You are firing his followers. Not healthy to declare his stand. You can force him to hold a press conference to underrate himself. Most of us are still practicing childish politics.
It is better for Chilima to be silent now, and give the path to Mutharika; understand politics in this way, the one who won the first term will also take the second term, therefore, it is too early for Chilima. It is God who appoint kings, and each king has the term to run; in Malawi 10 years. Let me assure Chilime not to rush in this because if the people are hungry for him now, then come 2024 he is the next President, have patience Chilima. I support you 100 %, people will run but mark my word today; Mutharika will win because in the sight of God his term is still on, until he finishes another five years. Chilima don’t be moved by the words of the people, put your trust in God if you are longing for the presidency, be patient and run 2024.
you have got substance brother. who told you that in Malawi the term is 10 years? And who are you to be assuring Chilima of his political next step? you are too ignorant to comment on such important issues concerning the welfare of the country Malawi so stay quite
Do you think God is Happy with your stealing? Nepotism? You will go out coz you seem not to know what’s God’s will. It is not Good who put two terms. Ndi anthu and they will use it to boot you all out. What is happening in DPP is God’s making. Chilima knows he can’t win koma kungokwanirisa chifuniro Cha Mulungu kuti DPP yonzunzayi ichoke.
Mulanje Moto. You are my pipo.
Viva Chakwera all the way.
Dont cheat yourself that God gives every leader 10 years of ruring? Thats mediocrity, poor thinking and cowardice.
You don’t know what you are talking about.In a democracy it does not mean the term for a particular president should not be challenged.Whether its his first term or second term but where democracy prevail his or her position is suppose to be challenged.Mind you,we don’t want WAMUYAYA and the saying of no one must challenge the ruling president
Chidodo a Chilima. And because of his sluggishness all the momentum in the country’s now been picked up by Chakwera’s MCP. It will be very difficult for him now to snatch that back.
Unless if he forces Mutharika out now, the Zimbabwe model, he wont win next year.
Trust me I am the unsung Malawian political expert.
Inu a Mankhumbo ati ndinu apolitical analyst koma ndikuona kuti china chikupelewera mutu mwanumo iye abwera bwanji poyera poti bwana anena kale kuti iwo aimanso ndiye muganiza kuti ac hilimao aimanso kuti mu DPP momuno kapena muchipani mwanu chifukwa ife wathu ndi APM Ndiponso mukamati ali ndi anthu ambiri owasatira mukunama. Anthu owasatira ndi Winiko ( wazisuzo ) ( Ngumuya wolephera kupeza nyimbo womangomatula mu christu mnyumba ) (Kaliati womangolalata ) ( Calista wokhumudwa atalephera kulanda Ndata farm ) ndiye nkumati ali ndi anthu APM mwawaona kale anthu ake shame on u Mankhumbo
Kkkkkkkkk shame on u for paying blind eye to reality. Uwonanso manyazi akupezani bwana. Mumbai kuwawa kosaiwalika.
Chilima will make a stand, soon and very soon. And for the record, SKC is NOT a coward!
Brave people stand out on their own! Steve Biko, Robert Mugabe, Chakufwa Chihana, Julius Malema, the list goes on. Not picked from the crowd!
Akudikila Parliament ithe kaye?
The election of party’s leadership has got nothing to do with the general public other than those who are card-carrying DPP members. The election process is governed by its constitution and is very clear as to when and how the nominations and voting should be conducted. In fact this is conducted at the convention. The public has no say whatsoever as to who should be voted for a party’s torch bearer position. The public will then vote for a torch bearer running a party with credible manifesto, progressive developmental policies linked to meaningful developmental projects.
I guess Chilima thinks we are fools as to believe that all this talk about his potential candidature is just manna from the wild coming without his instigation. Let him indeed come clean and declare the obvious. You can’t be that ambitious and be a super coward at the same time.
silence is the sleep that nourishes wisdom…..
silence is the source of great strength…
he who does not understand ur silence will probably not understand ur words ….
at the end, we will remember not the words of our enemies but the silence of our friends……
….keep you mouth closed until the mind is in gear…..
Surely am also alhomwe by tribe but this is not lhomwe issue by the way it’s about Mother Malawi, surely Chilima come out we shall support you don’t get itimitated with the ntchachas.
Foolish commentator…. Chilima is free to declare his interest at a time his sees strategically correct. Instead of condemning those victimizing Chilima supporters to be democratic you are busy pushing Chilima to say what he doesnt want atleast for now? Chilima is not breaking any Law by remaining silent. If you want to know Chilima’s views, you better wait for him when he wants to speak.
When the African National Congress were calling for Dr Banda to come to Nyasaland to stand for leader of the struggle for independence, nobody put Dr Banda under pressure to declare whether he was willing or not. Chilima is doing everything well.
Why should he declare his intentions now? Let the date for a convention be set and then any candidate would declare his interest then. You want him to lose his job. Matter of fact, it is other people who have expressed their interest to have him stand as their torch bearer. The pressure is not on him to declare his position. He needs to study the situation and make a proper assessment as to whether the appeal is genuine or not. He also needs to find out if the support is enough for him to win at both the convention and the national elections. The elections are very far almost a year to go. He needs to take his time and make a well informed decision. As of now, my best advice to him is that he should remain quite as he has done. He still has work to do as a Vice President rather than waste time talking politics. Those who know that the odds are stuck against them are the ones who are busy running around trying to woo support. In fact, he is just 45 years old and has all the time in the world. He can take his time to assess the position of the majority of his party members and then decide based on that assessment. He is just not easily swayed by mere hand-clappers and opportunist. Who like declaring their support just for their own selfish motives. He has shown a level of maturity that has never been seen before in Malawi politics. I bet his advisers must be good as well. Otherwise, if it was just some recycled politician Chilima would have been all over the place by now.
Well argued. The man is surveying the political terrain in Malawi which can be very confusing. Hopefully his stand will be known once the convention is in full swing accommodating people’s views. But the continual silence exhibited by him is proper since his boss already expressed to contest again as the ruling party’s torchbearer.
I have been sayinge that chilima has been showing some sort of cowardice by not saying anything on this issue, & letting others speak for him. He really has to be bald enough & show how strong he is.
How does he come on the open when he has not made up a decision on anything. Maybe he does not even want to become president. Kodi a Makhumbo Munthali Callister uja simunamumve bwino eti? Paja anati ngati a Chilima sakufuna kutsogolera DPP tikawawumiriza kuti atero, kusonyeza kuti sananenepo kuti akufuna kudzayimira DPP ngati president. A DPP akayitanitsa convention ndipamene zonse zobisika zingawoneke. Mukufuna kuti Chilima abwere poyera ngati wabisala. He is happy as a vice president of Malawi.
The commentators are not aware of the outcome when Chilima declares contesting against his master. If I were Chilima i would take the same step. It doesn’t matter what people feels about you, sometimes patience for oneself is more virtue.
Even you the commentator, this is the first time am hearing you comment on issues that matter, dont pretend to be more wiser here, afterall we know the ones among the commentators who are brave, so just leave this out.
Bravo Chilima bravo the movement. This is an underground movement and let it remain so.
CHILIMA AND PETER DON’T
CONFUSE PEOPLE OF MALAWI —
YOU GUYS FRAUDERANTLY WON
THE ELECTIONS WITH 36%–‘
WITH YOUR UNDERPERFOMANCE IT
HAS AUTOMATICALLY DROPPED
DOWN—IF BY ANY MEANS YOU
WISH TO STAND —THIS TIME
YOU WILL WIN BY 8% COS OF
THE YOUTHS WHO WENT FOR HONEY MOON WITH YOU AT
SANJIKA PALACE —
Cannot win
Do not force him to declare his stand, when time comes he will make it known to you. Chilima is not a coward, he knows what he is doing. Do not make decisions for him.
Sukunama. Asamangowakocha anthu kumbali anene apa maganizo ake.