DPP ‘vote of no confidence’ dominate Malawi media headlines
The political popularity matters took the front seat in the Malawi media on Thursday as ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) humiliating by-election defeat in five of six constituencies and wards to Malawi Congress Party (MCP) dominated both daily newspapers with commentators branding it a “vote of no confidence” for the regime which needs soul-searching.
“DPP loss, vote of no confidence- analysts”, was the headline in The Nation, which detailed the results of the by-election showing DPP’s only win was in Dedza Mayani ward for Nicholas Josiya a councillor but MCP were victorious by winning three parliamentary seats ; Sosten Gwengwe (Lilongwe Msozi North), Ulemu Msungama ( Lilongwe City South East) and Lawrence Sitolo (Nsanje Lalanje). The opposition party also won local government seats in Msiriza ward by Kingwell Zikaola and Thom Litchowa winning Ndirande Makata ward in Blantyre.
“This also paints a picture that during 2019 elections, it might be almost the same.So, parties have to work very hard to make sure that they achieve what people want,”the daily quoted Mzuzu-based political analyst Emily Mkamanga as saying.
Political analyst Augustine Magolowondo is also quoted in the paper saying that the results of the by-elections are a clear political barometer to the 2019 Tripartite Elections, saying it was significant victory for MCP and that the forthcoming polls will be “most competitive to watch.”
A political science associate professor at University of Malawi’s Chancellor College, Mustafa Hussein, said in quotes attributed to him that “the probability is high” that DPP will lose to MCP in the 2019 elections if the governing party will not live by its electoral promises it made in 2014 “and fix things”.
“Malawians have spoken,” the paper said in its title of the editorial comment.
In the comment, it said the results of the by-elections is “a clear statement” that some Malawians are frustrated with DPP.
“To say the least, Malawians are annoyed with the arrogance and impunity the DPP has portrayed over the three years it has been in power,” reads the comment.
The Nation editorial was similar to the tone of the the Daily Times on Wednesday which said citizens have spoken against DPP’S long course of ill-conduct – such s high-level corruption, nepotism, impunity, among others.
Both papers also cautioned MCP not to allow victory to be licence for them to be pompus and become complacent.
“Malawians have entrusted [MCP] with the votes which is merely a vote of no confidence in the DPP,” said The Nation comment, advising MCP to “consolidate the gains it has made.”
The paper emphatically stated that Malawians need to be told issues that could change their lives and not mere propaganda, decalring that “Malawians have indeed spoken.”
“DPP losing the plot – analysts,” was the headline in The Daily Times on Thursday, quoting several analysts and government spokesman Nicholous Dausi conceding defeat.
Another Chancellor College –based political professor Ernest Thindwa is quoted saying that the DPP tumble in the by elections “is not suprising,” saying the party’s performance “has not been very positive.”
Thindwa also noted that MCP made “strategic recruitments” such as the coming of Sidik Mia who marshalled the campaign in Nsanje Lalanje and Blantyre Makata Ward.
In his comments, in the papers, government spokesman Nicholous Dausi said they will do “soul searching” and correct where people say they are going wrong.
But Daily Times editorial comment on Thursday stressed that Malawians voting in the by elections have given DPP “a resounding vote of no confidence.”
It said the last thing the DPP can do is live in denial and go for revenge against people that have voted for MCP candidates by denying them development projects.
The day, dominated by news of by-elections, also saw headline on MCP celebrations on poll victory in the southern region.
According to the published report, MCP supporters celebrated Sitolo’s elction as MP in Nsanje Lalanje in an open-air partying.
Crippling unemployment, economic turmoil and corruption scandals in government led voters to punish the DPP in areas where MCP gained victories.
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I’m not a fun of MCP but what I really like about what just happened is the age of the candidates. We need young, vibrant, progressive leaders, we all need a breath of fresh air I hope this will be the trend throughout 2019! Yes we can!
This is very welcome development indeed for all of us wishing to see a return of MCP in power. But is it just me missing some clues? Been glued to Times online radio to see if I could hear Chakwera’s reaction to this happy event, but nada!
Is Chakwera really the right candidate? Is he not equally the same as Mutharika who takes ages to comment on issues?
DEPECO boma!!!!!! 2019 Criss Daza boma!!!!!!!!! No more killers no more thief we need youthful readers these old readers has made Malawian to be the poorest people in the world DEPECO a solution to this generation of Malawians
Well done MCP you have done it, but mind you these are just bye – elections and I would like to remind you that Politics is un predictable you can enjoy today but tomorrow you can regrette……. mark my words and lets meet in 2019…. Am not jealous I like the MCP leadership but everyone has a choice and my choice is DPP and if they lose it does not mean I should change no I can’t change…. Nyerere is always Nyerere and Bullets will always be Bullets whether they win or lose but one thing that makes me HAPPY is that we ALL belong to our lovely MOTHER MALAWI.
iwe Nicholas umuuze uyoyo uyo kuti zogona mum’dima ndatopa nazo wamva ngati alibe chochita ndi nkhani ya midima yi apatse amnzake amene angathe kuganiza kuthana ndi midima yi
Ndiye mwati Malawi can be better with MCP? Hahahahahahahaha this is my joke of the week. Amalawi kuiwala msanga.
If I was Big Man Wamkulu Heve, Peter Mutharika, I would reshuffle the cabinet. Ena angomyata paunduna koma sakuthandiza kwenikweni. I would bring back Akweni Kaliyati and Peter Kumpalume. These are good political spinners. Goodall Gondwe is also too tired. Not good enough to steer the north. Jap Muhango akuitha.
If I was APM, I would also shake ESCOM and Waterboards. These guys are sleeping and they have the potential of making the current government loose popularity. The president must know that the blackout problem is man-made. The water problem is also Man-made. The level of water in Lake Malawi has no connection with the unavailability of power but these ESCIOM guys peddle lies to HE as if there is a problem on this earth which does not have a solution. By the way, does ESCOM want to tell us that they have diverted all the water that flows in shire into their machines and the water is still not enough? What about putting generators in some townships to save the Hydro-power for cities and industry?
On water shortage in Cities, isn’t it possible to drill boreholes and pump that water to tanks and supply the same to locations, as a supplement to what Kamuzu Dam and other water sources can suffice? If towns are using this borehole system why shouldn’t cities use the same even on interim measure?
What is paramount is that management of ESCOM and Waterboards are sabotaging this government. When PP was in power, these institutions were working tirelessly to protect Amayi hence no blackouts.
Mark my words, what we already have is enough for us not to have blackouts nor water shortages. Shake the management.
With APM and DPP forever.
This is just the beginning.
Now expect exodus come 2018
Odi ukoooooooo!!!! MCP imatiimilira
Zinazo in garbage
Malawian voters have rejected DPP, but not necessarily embraced MCP. MCP now needs to reach out and assure the people that they are a different lot and will not go back to their bad old ways.
DPP are indeed in denial and do not seem to know what to do. They appear to say that Dr Chaponda is a good man, yet he is one of the most corrupt and greedy and cruel people in Malawi. He is the one who went to campaign in Nsanje? How can DPP win then? DPP must realise that their nepotism and greed has turned Malawians off, and at this rate, there is no way that they are going to win in 2019. It is now too late. Malawians have already decided to ditch DPP. There is nothing DPP can do to redeem themselves. They are gone. Look at the greedy Ministers in DPP. Very arrogant and selfish. DPP is already dead, and burial will take place in 2019. Watch this space.
Even during Bingus presidency, there was a time when a number of people from Mulanje went personally to Bingu to complain about Chaponda. People forget these things.
DPP ILI PAULENDO !
Wise Message all the way from Nambuma. Hear this!. A DPP a kabweretsa ndalama zao, zakudya, zofunda, malata, cement, chimanga, chonde landirani. Zimenezo ndi ndalama za msonkho wanu. Moti tere mukudzidyera ndalama zanu. Dont ever think kuti ndi ndalama zamthumba mwao. Those are your taxes. But….. vote wisely, the goodness is kuti movoteramo mumapitamo nokha. Peter Mutharika said that if you are not voting for a DPP candidate, forget about any development, is that his personal money. Ndalama zathuzo, misonkho yathu ndiye muchite nayo matukutuku.
If you want our votes in 2019, stop stealing our money, stop organizing your blue nights functions using our money, stop nepotism, stop politicizing civil service, stop using the Malawi Army as your own company, stop using Malawi Police as your our company.
We want change, we want change, we want change.This was the song people were singing during time of the mighty kamuzu banda. Now it has come again in the time of muthalika. People want change, and change will surely come by the grace of the Almighty GOD the father of the universe.
#MCP2019 #TheDownfallOfDPP #SelfInflicted #iRepeatMCP2019
Time changes everything.
DPP is full of arrogant ministers and party official. They always want to bluff people by portraying the picture on MBC that everything is rosy on the ground yet the people are feeling the pinch. The president should be careful with his so called advisors and ministers who are playing their card carefully for their survival. They know that things are not ok on the ground but they don’t want to tell the president the truth. They will abandon him when he loses in 2019. People have spoken and DPP shall dismiss this truth at it’s own peril.
Kokakokakokakokakokako!!!!
Nkhutukumve zimenezi sizimamva mpaka zamva nkhwangwa ili mmutu
Time for soul searching. Serious soul searching and connecting back with the electorates. Advisors to the President you have failed big time. Time to find new team for 2019 otherwise my mighty party is on its way out if they do not change their campaign team and so called political advisors,mark my words they will be in opposition come 2019. If they can do some serious reshuffles have a winning team on board and remove all those corrupt officials masquareding as Vice Presidents at campaign rallies may be they might connect back to the local man. Otherwise please do a serious soul searching.