Chilima says right VP crucial: Urges Malawians to scrutinize running mates
State Vice president Saulos Chilima has urged Malawians to critically scrutinize running mates to the presidential hopeful, saying some of them might not be up to the job.
He said just like presidents, vice presidents should be well qualified for the job because they are expected to take over the presidency in the event that the president has died or is incapacitated.
“We should take the 2012 scenario when our former president Bingu wa Mutharika, may his soul rest in peace, was called to the Lord and Dr. Joyce Banda who was the vice president had to take over the presidency.
“This is how important the office of the vice president is. This is why we need to scrutinise the people vying for this office, they should be well qualified for the job and ready to take over the presidency in the event of eventualities,” said Chilima.
The UTM president did not say whom he was targeting for the remarks although some political experts say this was an indirect reference to Everton Chimulirenji, president Peter Mutharika’s running mate whom people say does not have prerequisite qualifications for the second most top job of the land.
Chimulirenji’s command of spoken English leaves a lot to be desired and some people allege that he has a junior certificate of Education as his highest academic education achievement.
As Chilima was indirectly attacking Chimulirenji during the Kasungu rally, Chimulirenji was directly attacking Chilima in Mzuzu, telling journalists that the vice president sponsored people to demolish Mutharika billboards and pull down DPP flags.
UTM publicity secretary Joseph Chidanti Malunga has dismissed Chimulirenji’s allegations as childish.
The choice of running mate has the potential to considerably boost or damage a presidential candidate’s chances. Malawian voters can’t be taken for granted.
What I would like to advise Dr Chilima is God choses who he wants regardless what we think of them.Remember the story of David in the Bible?So let God be God and kneel to put his plans in your favor while you are remembering Chimu is also his child who has the right to his choice and favor.I rest my case.
The arrogance and the not so subtle bragging by HARDtalk Chilima really sticks in my craw.
Furthermore, are we voting for a President or a VP? And all Chilima is doing is hiding his lack of political acumen behind the satirical facade of Usi. That won’t work, as most people have already made up the minds, having seen through Chilima’s half baked economic ideas, wanton criticism of others’ ideas, and apparent projection of personal superiority.
SKC is right, am also sure that in the rejected electoral law qualifications for presidency and his vice were set. so its crucial aspect that malawians should look at. history tells us when bingu died JB took over but what happened new baby cashgate were born and affected alot of people.
One important quality of VP is the one with stable family and that he takes his wife out for people to see. If you do not declare your wife in public then you are a threat to people’s wives, daughters or nieces out there even mothers. Please bring your wife out or else we will think you are gay!
This man Chilima is a joke. Politics of ndiulula is wasting this man to the bone. We expect him to have access to important information in government. There is nothing new in informing us about the rot in government. In fact what he tells us is not worth secrete. It’s what we are all aware of… and yet some adults clapping hands for him…..hmmmm this make is a threat to democracy
How ironic…. -:)
The right running mate is the one who is an entrepreneur or simply put a businessman. Please take note we do not need anyone who will not mentor young people into serious business persons. Mia is one such a successful entrepreneur young Malawians should learn from osati zinazi….
Chilima, you should be the last person to say that. You were unfit yourself that’s why unapupuluma.
You are a very rude vice president.
mfundo ndi bodza zatha! Kusowa zonena tsopanooooo!
When Arafat Saulos Hamdani-Chilima was made a running mate, who new about him? Did he have any requisite qualification? When Abhiti Kazhigeti took over from late President Bingu Wa Mutharika, did she have any requisite qualification? Arafat should focus in his choice of a clown running mate than look down upon running mates in others’ camps. He should stop for once this kaladi arrogance on anthu. We were all created in His own image. Any Malawian has the right to become president of this country whether Arafat wants it or not.
People Chilima as he was famous as MR Money u idiot and thus why dpp took him as a corporate guru and marketing purposes!! Excuse your ignorance! And as Malawians we sure need sound headed VPs not the yes bwana hence stealing from Police 145 m 5 cars, Macra MRA when pick up these JEC VP!!
amwene running goverment is a serious business.
This should also apply to you Sir & every leader! Let’s hope you’ve learned from the process that different values & vision can be a recipe for disaster. Here’s perfect analogy It’s like oil & water can’t mix hopefully your running mate doesn’t have ulterior motives hence egos can overshadow vision building.
UTM is just what it is, a big JOKE! Chilima should just thank God that he got selected to be VP, because he really has nothing to show for it. The reforms he mentions are mere rhetoric coupled with noisy launch. Those of us who know the civil service will tell you that the previous reform initiatives (eg Chatsika Report), were more realistic!!! As for the running mate, only UTM blind followers are impressed with the bought doctorate degree of Manganya. Who would want this clown as President if, God forbid, the President became incapacitated? Awa ndi a zisudzo awa, not even witty comedy
Not an objective argument.
Dpp cadet such a dull argument! Get an education and wisdom to articulate facts!
Stupid thinking!! Can’t you see that chilima is the only hope we have. Open your eyes blind man!! All these people are not focused and to the target of pro poor definition of Malawian as these!! With or without winning, chilimas combination is what Malawi needs!! But alas!! Just as the foolish Israelites rejected their Christ, so will these Malawians if he loses, God for bid
Leaders r not chosen by God but instead the Almighty God has given human being a choice of choosing the leader he wants. From that prospective lets ask the Almighty God to give us the wisdom to choose the right leaders. Aameen
Achilima Vito inu ndikudzimva dikirani muone chomwe mbuye wasankha palibe angatsutse yesu anagwiritsa anthu owone ofooka komanso osadziwika kupulumutsa anthu ake.I think you are talking out of jealousy He yskukulirani man mulira inu.
Leadership is god given look at you and your running mate you are educated of course but you don’t have leadership qualities what you know is entrepreneurs ship whilst your running mate is fit to be a drammatidt
Volodymr Zelensky an Ukrainian actor has won the presidency seat so acting is detrimental to leadership remain with your foolishness
Kagweleni uko inu….we don’t want CROOKS HERE
Not the way Manganya does/did. His plays were too childish to say the least….. He vwas entertaining kids not grown ups. He will go back to drama after 21st May….kids are waiting for him.
Asiyeni a pulofesa sawina inu Malawians r not stupid.count down The days mark my word
Dikizo: Wazisudzo can be president or vice President, a footballer, businessman, academician, name them
Tell them May 21st is not far