MCP brands DPP ‘govt of midnight darkness’

Malawi Congress Party (MCP) which has long been tainted with the tag that it is a party of “death and darkness” has hit at ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP), calling it the government of “midnight darkness”.

MCP spokeswoman Dr Jessie Kabwila made the remarks on Friday in an interview monitored on Zodiak radio.

She was reacting to the absence of MCP president Rev Dr Lazarous Chakwera at a working luncheon hosted by President Peter Mutharika with opposition political party leaders who participated in the May 20 Tripartite Elections to discuss various issues affecting the country.

“Our President got the invitation by word of mouth at midnight,” said Kabwila.

“We think it was an afterthought from the Mutharika to invite Chakwera, that is why it was better for our party president not to attend,” Kabwila said in an interview.

She said Office of President and Cabinet phoned midnight of Wednesday to invite Chakwera to a luncheon on Thursday, wondering whether the invitation was sincere.

“The DPP seems to be midnight government, “said Kabwila, adding that they were declared “winners” of May 20 elections at midnight, announced cabinet at midnight and also the ‘Midnight Six’ press conference they held when former president late Bingu wa Mutharika died.

“It seems they don’t know how to work during day time,” pointed out Kabwila.

She said despite a midnight invitation, MCP leader could not have gone to the luncheon with the President, still claiming that Mutharika did not genuinely win the May elections, saying he rigged.

“MCP has not forgotten the rigging that happened… going for luncheon would have been like somebody gets a wife from you then invite you to come and admire the house they live in,” she said.

Kabwila stressed that Rev Chakwera could not be on luncheon with electoral thieves.

In a separate interview, Chakwera confirmed he received invitation through word of mouth late.

“What I received was a word of mouth that there will be an invitation card in the morning,” said Chakwera who is also Leader of Opposition in Parliament.

The MCP president said he conceded defeat to Mutharika for the sake of peace.

“We believe we did not lose. The systems failed us and all this happened in full view of all Malawians and the world. And we believe that Malawians would still have loved to know what really happened.

“We find ourselves therefore in a position where on Malawi Electoral Commission’s (MEC) own admission the result of Presidential vote is flawed but they are compelled to announce it and on that basis the President of Malawi declared,” he is on record saying.

Also conspicuously missing during the two and half hours meeting held at Sanjika Palace in Blantyre were former president and People’s Party (PP) leader Joyce Banda and James Nyondo of National Salvation Front (Nasaf).

Briefing the media after the luncheon, Mutharika said the meeting was a fulfilment of the promise he made during the presidential debate that once elected into government, he would invite all the aspiring candidates to discuss issues facing the country.

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