Joyce Banda says Mutharika shouldn’t resign, ‘let court decide on nullification of elections’
Former president Joyce Banda has said there is no need for President Peter Mutharika to resign when the dispute over the May presidential elections is at the High Court in Lilongwe, sitting as a Constitutional Court.
Banda said this in an interview monitored by Nyasa Times on British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC).
The Constitutional Court to continue hearing the presidential election case from UTM presidential candidate Chilima, first petitioner, and his Malawi Congress Party (MCP) counterpart, Lazarus Chakwera as second petitioner.
Banda is in political alliance with the second petitioner Chakwera. Her People’s Party (PP) and MCP are working together.
She, however, told BBC’s Lilian Mwendo on Saturday that Mutharika should continue being in the seat of power until the determination by the Constitutional Court will decide on his legitimacy and that Malawians should wait patiently for the court ruling.
But Banda said Mutharika should take a lead to resolve the current political impasse which has rocked the country following the disputed presidential elections in May this year.
“I think we have far gone into so much pain, so much anger and so much destruction> I think there would be a lot of healing and I think that the person that should take the lead in the healing should be the President,” said Banda on BBC.
Asked if she could work with Mutharika in efforts to resolve the current political impasse, Banda said it will be tricky.
“I do not know how that can happen before we know the results of the court because, if the courts say nullification, then everybody will have to run and campaign again,” said former president Banda whose husband is retired chief justice for Malawi and and Swaziland, Richard Banda SC.
The presidential election case, being covered live by some local broadcasters, is being closely followed by members of the public and is topping topical issues for discussion in social gatherings as the court’s verdict, will go one way, or another.
The lady is aging badly. She has never been a lawyer. Which leadership project is she in support? Alhomwe forever? Or Bakili Agenda of Never will the Centre nor the North produce any presidential material? JB not an accident to be a president you’ve demonstrated the grit to follow issues critically koma apa Auntie palibe presser yogwira ndime bwinotu dimentia!!
Who told this stupid woman that we want Mutharika to resign? Only dunderhead reporters ask this fool for her opinion.
Why rushing in calling for resignation of APM? So its true that Ansa was just a leeway? Your mercinaries are acting on pretext of something? Shame
Chakumbiri stupid too
I don’t agree with Joyce Banda. Mutharika is not a legitimate leader of our country therefore he has no mandate to rule. He needs to resign and the constitutional court appoint a caretaker gov’t until there is a rerun. Allowing Mutharika to be in office is giving him a licence to loot our resources. He will use tax payers money for a rerun. He has already proved that he is using tax payer’s money to buy his position. He is terrorizing Malawians for exercising their right. His cadets are being paid to do unlawful things. If the court rule against… Read more »
Mercie, In your Opinion who is a legitimate leader in Malawi? please dont display your arrogance and lack of legal knowledge in public. Mutharika is an Internationally, Locally assented President until the Court determines otherwise. If you are speaking based on tribal lines, then in your house and your children you can say that, but not to all MALAWIANS
just bcoz he spared from the fugitive life you were in pls put your big pig buttom down. usatinyasepo apo. you are a jezebel wa nyanga
Idots
Ass whole JB. These people causing havoc uR one paying them.What R u talking About? ..u think uR hiding?no way.Ur not going to get wat u want.period!
Looking at the comments on Nyasatimes, it is now clear that Mutharika has more supporters than My lady, my Lord, My neighbour and my headman from Kasiya road.
The Hi-Five advocate the rule of law; MCP should walk the talk osati uku kumapelekela zida ku ma demo. The essence of court is to promote order so these violent demos have no place in a democracy. Well said madam but call a spade by its name-the call to topple Jane Ansah is unlawfully forcing court to nullify the election using autocratic democracy rule where the masses are used to advance political agendas. Let us be sober and pierce the political veil. The other part of this game which is not told is the quantification of the disputed ballot papers.… Read more »