Chimulirenji snubs presidential running mates debate: Crowds chant ‘wathawa!’
Ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) presidential running mate Everton Chimulirenji has snubbed the first-ever presidential running mates debates ahead of the May 21 2019 Tripartite Elections organised by private broadcaster Zodiak Broadcasting Station (ZBS).
Chimulirenji was loudly derided by the packed audience at Bingu International Convention Centre in Lilongwe when he did not show up.
Part of the audience chanted “Chimulirenji wathawa! Wathawa!”
Some were heard murmuring that Chimulirenji was “too scared” to debate with other panellist and that DPP could be taking the electorate for granted.
Chimulirenji, according to debate host Joah Frank Chakhaza, had communicated to organisers of the debates that he would attend the debates.
“We extended invitation to Democratic Progressive Party running mate and he [Chimulirenji] confirm ed that he was going to come but he has not showed up tonight,” said Chakhaza.
Other running mates who attended included Mohammad Sidik Mia (Malawi Congress Party-MCP), Jerry Jana (People’s Party-PP), Frank Mwenifumbo (United Democratic Front-UDF) and Michael Usi of UTM Party
The refusal by DPP running mate, Chimulirenji, to participate in the BICC debate is not without precedence.
In 2014 former president Joyce Banda’s running mate Sosten Gwengwe also snubbed the second debate.
In the USA, president Lyndon Johnson refused to debate with senator Barry Goldwater in 1964. Johnson was leading in the polls and public speaking was not his forte.
The reasons for Chimulirenji’s no show were not cleared outlined.
Analysts say debates can influence voters in the election.
The fact remains, though, that the audience in the BICC and those following the proceeds on Zodiak TV and various media were on Thursday evening denied the opportunity of hearing the side of the sitting government on the themes of the day.
The second debate is scheduled to take place on March 14 at Chichiri International Conference Centre, widely known as Comesa Hall, in Blantyre.
It will be seen if Chimulirenji will then have the guts to attend the debate.
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Nothing wrong unless if it compulsory to debate
THE ONLY ORGANISED PARTY SO FAR IS MCP………Zinazi zachibwana zokhazokha
Very good move bwana VP. The opposition should have debated last year and choose one candidate to face Rt him chimulirenji. Am sure that would have been a fair debate
Awa atithandiza awa??
Apulofesa adawakulira ndi mantha
and you also forgot to say that all those that snub those debates before were not elected during elections. Ask Gwengwe Sosten
Kkkkkkkkkk komaaaaa Chingerezitu ichiii kkkkkkkkk
Chimulirenji Everton is a zombie. Everton Chimulirenji is an ignoramus. Everton Chimulirenji sadakakwanitsa izi. Wangokhala munthu basi.
All of you saying bad about DDP here you are not DDP followers, those who support DDP can not leave it because Evarton did not attend the debate. He can even choose not to attend all the debates. He has his right too. You can’t force someone to attend a debate. How many anthu akumudzi amamva chizungu? Lets just wait for May 21.
I already said amene akulubwalubwa kwambili pa social media ndi matchona ali ku USA,UK, RSA etc vote alibe. Akuona ngati azavota ndi social media. Ine chiphaso nde chili mmanja.
Ndiwe wa bodza, Wiseman. In 2009 I voted for this party. If it is his right as claim it, why did he confirm that he would come only not to! This is damaging! Period!
@ wiseman
You right buddy. One thing though pamatchonapo waiwala Mutharika . He is one of them.
What is the logic of voting for someone who cannot represent you effectively due to the language barrier. He might be a good man but we need one who can represent our country effectively. It just unfrotunete that the choice fell on some of these people but for sure we needed someone who could do it better
DPP koma kuba, corruption kupha, kupha albino ,kuvula amayi ndikuthawa debate.