Circus at State House: Ben Phiri resigns, President rebuts

After Ben Phiri, President Peter Mutharika’s longest serving aide and right-hand man, announced through the media his resignation Tuesday,  President Peter Mutharika has issued a rebuttal firmly insisting his ‘Special Aide’ remains at State House.

Mutharika speaking through a presidential press secretary Gerald Viola said Phiri remains a special aide .

Phiri told local media including Zodiak radio that he had resigned to “pave way for investigations” following accusations that he was accumulating unexplained wealth through wrongful ventures.

A letter of resignation puportedly written by Phiri (also published in this article) shows  resignation will be  with effect from June 1, ‘2105.’

He said his decision to resign was made to safeguard the President from undue attacks from his (Phiri) detractors.

The presidential aide said his move was also aimed at creating an opportunity for investigations into allegations that he abused his proximity to the presidency to amass wealth.

“The fact that I have left the office of the President gives a chance for anybody to commence investigations into these allegations without hindrance,” he said.

“I wish to call upon all those that have been making allegations against me to now seize this as an opportunity to prove themselves,”he said.

“It is not fair, for instance, for someone to call the state president a puppet just because of me,” he lamented.

Meanwhile, State House said Phiri resignation is not official.

Viola told state broadcaster MBC that Phiri has not tendered his resignation.

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