Mutharika hits at ‘Pharisees’, Mchacha accuses opposition of brewing DPP trouble: Malawi International Trade Fair turns political
President Peter Mutharika has hit back at critics of his administration branding them as ‘Pharisees’ who want him out of government, challenging that he is not politically shake ahead of May 2019 Tripartite Elections.
The President spoke at the official opening of the 30th Malawi International Trade Fair in Blantyre which was turned into a political rally for the ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP).
Mutharika said some DPP members want to destroy the party and make it lose the elections.
He vowed not to disappoint those endorsing him to be DPP torchbearer in the polls, claiming that there are sell-outs in the DPP that want to destroy the party.
Mutharika said in Chichewa: “Ena akufuna kundiopseza ine koma sindingaope munthu aliyense ayi. Inu ndi ine tachoka kutali. Ndipo ndikukulonjezani kuti sindizakusiyani chifukwa inunso sumungandisiye (Some People want to intimidate me, but with you by my side, I will not fear. We have come a long way and my promise to you is that I will never abandon you because you can never leave me alone.)
The President continued that those demanding him not to contest for a final mandatory term are ‘Pharisees’ who are being misguided by opposition parties.
Pharisees, according to the Holy Bible, served as Jesus Christ’s persecutors and foils. The New Testament portrays Jesus as endlessly compassionate, self-sacrificial and free-spirited. As literary characters, the Pharisees, by contrast, are small-minded, self-righteous and legalistic.
Mutharika, 79, is facing an unprecedented resistance, for an incumbent eligible for a second term as per the Malawi Constitution, from a section of his governing DPP lobbying for the candidacy of Vice-President Saulos Chilima, 45.
Former first lady Callista Mutharika—widow of DPP founding president and the incumbent President’s elder brother, Bingu wa Mutharika—sparked the succession debate weeks ago when she said her in-law should pave the way for the comparatively youthful and energetic Chilima widely seen as a hands-on and results-oriented leader after he vibrantly led the Public Sector Reforms Programme that has lost steam since it was moved from his domain.
But Mutharika on Thursday said those calling him to retire are just wasting their time because he will seek a new mandate in 2019 to stay in power for the last five years.
“This is not the first time for some people trying to kill DPP. At first they proposed to impeach President Bingu wa Mutharika, when Bingu died, 123 out of 156 MPs fled, We were left with only 33. but they failed and this time they are against me but they will not succeed at all,” said Mutharika.
Mutharika’s remarks were punctuated by chants from DPP supporters of “Achoke! Achoke! [Let the critics leave the party].
The event was meant to focus on the private sector that is operating in poor economic environment amid continued power cuts.
However, Mutharika and his DPP supporters coloured the function with speeches against a faction that is calling for leadership change in the ruling party.
It all started with the director of ceremony, Hope Chisanu, a radio personality for taxpayer-funded Malawi Broadcasting Corporation, who led DPP supporters in cheering President Mutharika.
And then the notorious DPP’s regional governor for the southern region, Charles Mchacha, took to the podium with political messages of praise to Mutharika.
He condemned leaders of the ongoing leadership debate in the party as well as blaming opposition political parties of having a hand in the wrangles currently rocking the DPP.
“Oyipa wasikila ku DPP [the devil has descended in DPP]. But we know that all who are doing this are opposition’s agents. They want to frustrate us but they will yield nothing, because people from Karonga to Nsanje are behind President Mutharika,” said Mchacha.
Mchacha went further to declare that President Mutharika will go unopposed at the party convention scheduled for this year ahead of the 2019 polls.
He said there is no government without political party, hence making political remarks at a State function.
“People should understand that there is no government without a political party and a party that formed government in 2014 is DPP,” said Mchacha.
Minister of Trade, Henry Mussa, who is also DPP treasurer general, also led the crowd filled with supporters in chanting slogans of praise for Mutharika before giving credit to the President for allegedly developing the country.
Chilima has remained silent on calls for him to vie for the presidency. He did not attend the opening of the fair.
There is divided opinion on the DPP 2019 torchbearer with some officials openly pushing for Chilima’s candidacy and others declaring Mutharika will go unopposed at the convention.
Mutharika has personally declared that he will lead DPP in the elections, saying fielding a different candidate would oust the party from power.
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THESE ARE PROFESSORS AND DOCTORS ON NYASA LAND SOIL —THEY KNOW HOW TO MANEUVER ONLY STORIES MAKING THEIR BELLIES BIG BIG–‘
THEY CAN’T LISTEN TO ANYBODIES ADVICE BUT GOD IS WATCHING !!
Kodi beans nyumba munapenta ma X kuti mugwetsa zija zili pati? That was great insight bwana. Mantha munasintha. Ur pipo around told u that you would lose popularity. A leader doesn’t follow stupid advice but his or her conviction.
Pitala Pitala sakulamulira koma anthu ake.
You mean the whole President can not organise a party rally to castigate his distractors rather than spoiling a well organised function for the development of the business sector. Zachilomwe basi. Ndine Mlomwe koma wamanyazi, wachisoni kkkkkkkk
Kkkkkkk. Let’s us rescue our Malawi. Should we be under DPP again?
In politics anything can happen. Who would have thought that within 20 years of democratic rule, three different political parties would take the helm to lead. Come May next year, Malawi will equally surprise itself in a very unpredictable elections. It could be DPP or MCP or indeed UDF or a combination/coalition of any of many political parties at play. We live in interesting times.
Was it a political rally or MALAWI INTERNATIONAL TRADE FAIR?We must differentiate the place where we are and the task we have been given at that particular time.The International exbitors did not come to listen his political speech rather than to open the market for them to start showing have they have brought
Malawians as usual, so backward. Praising someone as if he gives them air to breath.I can see writings on the war.
Alamu mukapume ndikusiyira mpando youthfu energetic 45b year old Chilima for presidency 2019. Callister said. You will regret if you take words of Callista in granted. Malawi will never vote for Mutharika anymore alephera kwambiri madala awa ndipo Chakwera wapita kale ku State House May 21. Chipani cha dpp chatha ndipo chathadi.
Wishful thinking
So the opposition can influence the ruling party and cause its members to turn against one another? What does that tell you about that party?
simply mean that opposition is more powerful!!!!!
did you hear his voice? I mean the voice of Pitala. Kukula kapena kukalamba. Musamukakamize ngati muja idachitira MCP on Kamuzu. They ended up losing. Pitala could be more than 79 and you know Malawians amachotsera one to three years. This happens to African football players. This man was born in 1936 for sure. DPP just like udf do not want to give Saulos leadership because he comes from the central region. They are simply continuing with udf policy of hating people from the central region and the northern region.
Kodi zilizonse ndekuti ndi a opposition akuyambitsa. Chilima and his colleagues are DPP & have no working relationship with these guys. Why cant you “Peter Mutharika” just deaal with your funeral wtih mentioning others. Chakwera has nothing to do with DPP.
Malawians are not interetsted in keeping your foolish party alive. We are interested in the progress of the country, meaningful strides in education, food security, health, infrastructure and indeed good governance. This country has retrogressed with the so called your party, except for few months of Bingu. Our prayer is that God will intervene for us as usual. If you dont leave the scene yourself God will take you to enjoy your retirement (which we are currently offerering you with our taxes) at a right time.
A state function turned into a party function and there are professors, doctors quite learned people in the party who should know better what should be done and what is good for all, can we expect real meaningful change in this country?
Pamenepa a opzishoni akubwerapo bwanji? Inu odziwa za ndale tazimasulani kuti mwina ndi uyu kapena uyo. Bambo Mchacha, simunatope??
Those DPP supportets in disagreement should count their strengths if they loose at convention they should accept but they have spoiled relationship of vice and party
MCP on a move
You political leaders at times the way u think. How dare u say u will win as if u r the only voters? ovota ndife kuno ku mudzi and seriously bwana Mchacha, nobody from Karonga to Nsanje do like APM. They partly like Chilima and they fully like Dr. Chakwera of MCP
APM woyeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee we are moving without budgetary support from donors. We are not saying derogatory speeches as before. Tarmac roads everywhere , Adequate and timely funding of government sectors, community colleges everywhere . Mapwiya Mulupale
koma si a dipipi okha amene akulipira mtsonkho man
kkkkkkkkk ati Peter woyeee chamba chiani kupenga eti mavuto onsewa ndiye kape wina wake kumati woyeee zomwe akulonjezazo zoti sazawasiya olo atabela boma
What a comparison,Peter Arthur Muthalika and Jesus..Gogo uyu amadzimva,a good comparison should have been Judas,for you have betrayed Malawi with your lies and theft.K haya dzikoli akulamulira ndi ndani?is it the dirty four?
Pitala tsopano. I find that unenthusiastic leader and his backing dogs lacking in their arguments.
For example it’s not enough to say I have another fives to rule. You forget that your opponents have 10years. Legally allowed. You are already a loser in that thinking. Secondly, Mchachas complaint that is opposition is distabalising DPP is also childish. Amatuerish. Wayiwala kuti akupanga ndale.
Mr Mchacha mupanga zonse mungapange koma ndithu dzanja lalemba. U will ask me come June 2019 u will start misable life paja mulibenso school. No one can do business with DPP graduants. Not even employing you.
Operation Save Malawi.