Mutharika refuses debate challenge: ‘Chakwera’s level is Mchacha, Nankhumwa or Navicha’

June 2, 2020 Green Muheya - Nyasa Times 46 Comments

President Peter Mutharika has dismissed the call by Malawi Congress Party (MCP) presidential candidate Lazaraus Chakwera, who is also Tonse Alliance torchbearer, to a debate ahead of the Constitutional Court sanctioned fresh presidential election , saying the two are not at the same level to debate.

President Mutharika speaking in Thyolo
Part of the audience at Thyolo Boma

Mutharika said this on Monday when he joined the hunt for votes, holding campaign meetings at his home trading centre of Goliati then Thyolo Boma and Bvumbwe, his first major public appearance since presenting his nomination papers on May 7.

“Chakwera wants to hold a debate with me, if he wants to, then he should not debate with me, but [Charles] Mchacha, [Kondwani] Nankhumwa or [Mary] Navicha. I am not on the same level with him,” said Mutharika who is seeking a second and final term of office.

President Mutharika  expressed optimism that he would win the fresh elections.

Mutharika pointed out that the numerous development programmes government has been implementing across the country, including community technical colleges, construction of both primary and secondary schools and youth empowerment were some of the reasons people would re-elect him in power.

“I draw my confidence from the fact that over the first term of my office, we successfully carried out a number of development programmes aimed at uplifting people’s livelihoods especially those in rural areas,” he said.

The President added that he has made deliberate efforts to empower the youth, noting that 50 per cent of his cabinet comprises youthful members.

“In fact, I chose United Democratic Front (UDF) leader, Atupele Muluzi as my running mate in the fresh presidential election in the spirit of sustaining the agenda of youth empowerment,” he said.

“I have a burning desire to improve welfare of youth in the country. Out of 30 cabinet ministers in my government, about 14 are youth. I will continue all programmes on youth socio-economic empowerment,” he said.

The Malawian leader asked Malawians to turn out in their large numbers and vote for him and his running mate during the proposed June 23, 2020 elections in a bid to prove the courts and the opposition that the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) won the polls.

“I am repeating that the DPP won the May 21 elections which both local and international observers described as free, fair and credible. We should come out in large numbers to prove High Court Judges that their ruling was not the will of the people,” he challenged.

“Don’t make any mistake of voting for Lazarous Chakwera of Malawi Congress Party and the Tonse Alliance,” he warned.

Mutharika assured people in Thyolo that once re-elected, his administration would continue with the development projects initiated in the district, citing upgrading of some feeder roads such as Chingazi-Nansadi, Nang’ombe-Bvumbwe and Katundu-Thunga, among others.

Vice President for the DPP in the South, Kondwani Nankhumwa said Mutharika and his running mate Muluzi would win resoundingly.

“Your leadership has demonstrated that you’re very tolerant and a true champion of democracy despite being pushed to the limits by some disgruntled people operating under the cover of human rights defenders when in actual fact they are political hooligans,” he said.    

Earlier, Thyolo Central Constituency legislator Ben Phiri said people in the district will not allow MCP to rule again.

“The fresh presidential election gives us an opportunity to maintain sustainable development and respect of people’s lives, not to elect a crocodile and cruel party (MCP),” he said.

The country is expected to go to the polls again on June 23 2020 following the Supreme Court decision to uphold the Constitutional Court’s ruling that nullified the May 21 2019 presidential election.

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46 replies on “Mutharika refuses debate challenge: ‘Chakwera’s level is Mchacha, Nankhumwa or Navicha’”

  1. Debate is good for the good of the nation.Only myopic leaders would refuse debate because they don’t have facts, arguments or ability to debate. No matter what whether one likes or not the presidency will always have issues to debate.

  2. Disgusting Arrogance of the President Malawi needs a President who will talk to the poor uneducated who elects him to know what the poor uneducated individual needs. The President is NOT a KING or Dictator his days are numbered and will be removed July 4th for contempt of court if the election is not Held by June 23rd.

  3. I thought the debate was between Presidential Candidates? The people mentioned are not.
    BY the way, APM is only a caretaker president and should not brag.

  4. AMP is afraid of debate, he is also afraid of the election and now the final chance for him to prove that he is indeed a man. Come one on one fight and see who is the real man. Blow by blow. Chakwera is giving Peter no more than 30 seconds in the ring. APM prove to Malawians that you have the pair. Prove that you have the balls. Come on one one one and let us settle this once and for all. No more innocent blood shade. You and me in the ring.

  5. I thought they said this guy (Mutharika) is a constitutional lawyer. Based on his remarks I seriously doubt if this is true. It does not take a lawyer to understand that as a candidate you don’t get to choose who you debate, you just debate whoever is your opponent, as a lawyer he should understand this better. Here in Malawi it is not a constitutional requirement yet to debate, but even so, if the electorate wants to hear from you through a debate then you just need to do it no matter who your opponent is.

    Also as Citizen has commented, mwawanyoza anzanu a chipani a M Mchacha, Nankhumwa ndi Navicha. Anthu amanena kuti ndinu odzichepetsa, but this proves otherwise. you have elevated yourself above everyone else. Kudzikweza.

    1. I have read the story on what President talked about Mrs Joyce Banda, and what Mrs Joyce Banda said about the president, l feel sad that our politics has gotten to this point. First why did Mrs J Banda bring up the issue of the president drinking Kachasu? I thought we are talking about politics and what one will do when he gets into government my observation is that mai Banda has nothing to offer, infact MCP though so desperate to go onto government, it’s a waste of time bringing Joyce on board, she has nothing to offer. She had two years as president what did she do, apart from Cashgate, she made innocent young girls and boys suffer. But her son Roy Kachale brags that they have money, their childrens, children will never be poor. Yet Dr Mutharika has left her, she should have said something to convince Malawians why they should elect her and MCP. If the president drinks alcohol, kachasu, wine, chibukhu, so what? Doesnt Chilima drink alcohol even when he goes to work or nsokhano, Chilima sasuta chamba. What’s the big deal with drinking alcohol. Now talking dzauhule wa mai Joyce Banda, that’s Ntila girl, if she wants us tell it all a ayaluka. If you want to know Joyce wanted late Bingu after the death of his dear wife. She was disappointed that he married Callista, no wonder they never get on fine. She wanted president Muluzi so much, she used to cook sugar free cakes taking to Sanjika. Shanil one time confronted her about the cakes. No wonder when Muluzi married Shanil, Joyce left the country was upset. We have a list of men she was sleeping with the president isn’t lying that woman does not care who she sleeps with, young or old. She will tell you I love my husband that’s a lie. Joyce is all about Joyce, does not like any women above her. Others say Peter had no choice, trust me that women at Sanjika is a beauty queen, has a body structure looks cute. Her body, face, look good. Beauty is in the eyes of the beholder, mai Callista knows the truth between her and the first lady. Musamachulutse zonena tiululatu. Kambani nfundo anthu samadya yokongola. The first lady is a very humble nice lady leave her alone.

  7. Mutharika is right. Chakwera has nothing to debate. All government winning issues are from Chilima; 1 million Jobs and K4500 fertilizer. what else? He says the obvious like a small party.

  8. So by saying that the level of Chakwera is Mchacha, Nankhumwa and Navicha you think you are making a point, but what you have inadvertently done is belittle those members of your party and elevate yourself to be above everyone else. I don’t know how those mentioned people can take comments meant to denigrate in a positive way! My guess is that if they were at the meeting, they probably clapped hands.

    My final point is this, no matter what academic qualifications someone has, but as long as they qualify to stand for president, all candidate are equal, so it is stupidity to use an excuse of being superior to run away from a debate. If anything, use your superior education and eloquence and understanding of the issues to floor your opponent.

    In America when Barack Obama faced off with John McCain in 2008, he (Obama) was far too superior academically compared to McCain, he is a lawyer who graduated magna cum laude from Harvard University, but he still had to debate John McCain, because it is a requirement.
    So whoever is organising the debate, they should just go ahead and see if Muthalika does not turn up with his sorry excuses.

  9. Anthu odzikweza anagwetsa pansi pa chimpando chawo nakweza anthu achabe……. Tione momwe mutagwere in the next weeks to come.

    Mwayi kuti muli ndi manja okhota, mwina mudzangogwa, nkuyamba kumakwawa.

  10. Same, tired old arguments.

    You can build thousands of schools, roads and hospitals.

    That is NOT ‘development’.

    Where are the teachers and books for such schools?

    Or the doctors or equipment or medicines for hospitals?

    We might like to see new roads.

    But they are of little use if people do not have JOBS or money.

    The unemployment and poverty rate in Malawi, and most African countries, has not changed substantially in decades.

    Most people try to scrape by in the ‘informal’ economy.

    We want food to fill our stomachs, JOBS to provide for our families and to live comfortably.

    Flashy new roads and buildings are of NO USE if I am starving and have no job or house.

  12. So by saying that the level of Chakwera is Mchacha, Nankhumwa and Navicha you think you are making a point, but what you have inadvertently done is belittle those members of your party and elevate yourself to be above everyone else. I don’t know how those mentioned people can take comments meant to denigrate in a positive way! My guess is that if they were at the meeting, they probably clapped hands.

    My final point is this, no matter what academic qualifications someone has, but as long as the quality to stand for president, all candidate are equal, so it is stupidity to use an excuse of being superior to run away from a debate. If anything, use your superior education and standing and eloquence and understanding of the issues to floor your opponent.

    In America when Barack Obama faces off with John McCain in 20008, he (Obama) was far too superior academically, a lawyer who graduated magna cum laude from Harvard University, but he still had to debate John McCain, because it is a requirement.
    So whoever is organising the debate, they should just go ahead and see if Muthalika does not turn up with his sorry excuses.

  13. What is wrong with our president?

    s Nankhumwa, Navacha or Micacha going to be on Ballot Paper?

    Quite a disgrace!

  15. APM has no time debating with Lazarus debating for what? Rather Lazarus should debate with zipani 9 apanga mgwirizano kuti a Malawi awuzidwe cheni cheni mchiti. Zipani 9 against anthu Awiri nkumati muwina chisankho koma mwatutana chigulu ngati muli akamuna bwanji simunayime panokha??? A Lazaro ndi mzawo Saulo Kodi paja nduna ya finance izakhala ndani kapangeni debate a Malawi adziwe. Kodi paja Lazaro sazayimanso kachikena kapangeni debate a Malawi awuzidwe.

    1. APeter mukadakhala munthu wina akadazichepesa osazikweza ,mau akuti ukakwera mumtengo osatukwana pansi ukagwa pansi ndiye pamakuwakha.apeter mudzachita manyazi achakwera atawina mlungu si munthu.

  16. Akuwopa agogo, he’s got nothing to tell the nation (well if they can understand him in the first place). Failed to answer a simple question in London and had to seek the help of Paul Kagame. What? What? What? What? Remember that?

  17. Let us cancel the debate and the election. Let us just take APM and Chakwera into the boxing ring and see who is going to come out. They can size themselves up in the ring, quick and cheap. The winner takes all.

    Like wise Atupele and Chilima can go for first round. Let us see who are real men the old fashioned way.

    1. Chipongwetu ichi iwe Kandulu. Much as he’s a dunderhead, we still need our gogo alive. Asafele mu ring but rather on God’s time.

  20. Of course iyeyo ndi nkhalamba ndiye he is in the league of his own. Enawo mano ali nawo pamene iyeyo anatha ndi old age.

  21. It was just out of mere respect for an opponent that Dr. Laz suggested a debate with APM otherwise, truth be told, Chakwera is way too knowledgeable and super eloquent to have a debate with a person who cannot even pronounce his surname correctly. So for you APM, your take home is that even the Mchacha and Navucha you mentioned are better than you by your DPP submerged standards.

  22. I can’t wait for the ‘loud mouthed without teeth old man’ get voted out. Penepake aMalawi ena ndimadabwa nanu. Why vote for someone who is way past his sell by date?

  23. Clueless Mutharika is too dumb to be anyone’s president, much less a president for any country!. He is simply not presidential material!. Mchacha is not running for the highest office in the land and not incumbent upon him to articulate his agenda for the country before potential voters (the bosses responsible for hiring presidents). I bet dumb Mutharika has no clue what I am talking about and clueless about what to tell potential voters!!!!

  24. Chakwera Ngati mumakanika kuyakha mafunso kwa amtola Nkhani oti mwaitana nokha KkkkKkkkk kumathawira kwa mkaka KkkkKkkkk ndiye mungaime pa debate ndi Peter KkkkKkkkk 🙆

    1. It’s a pity that poor and uneducated people are being fooled about true development according to international stand there is no development happening in Malawi. So sad indeed

    2. I hope you are one of those false prophets. APM sangamake kwa Laz Chakwera. I question his law qualifications kuti sanagule ayi? The guy fails you speak and convince.

      1. @Mtonga ndiwe opanda nzeru…. APM nthawi yawo inali yosiya ndiyapano where everything is Google and everything is all about chinyengo…. Munfuse Chakwera zimenezo

      2. Mtonga kulira ndi mtima Chakwera its false Pastor now, osiya za mpingo kuyamba kumvala za boxing KkkkKkkkk bola Yona anapezeka Mimba mwasomba koma Chakwera Apezeka munthumba la fertilizer lonyamura Chilima KkkkKkkkk

      3. Yamba wafusa ma qualification a Chakwerayo. PhD adachitira kuti? The only genuine is BA from Chanco; the rest are papers. kkkkk

    3. Thats why tikuti akayime so that we can approve kuti ndani amadziwa kulakhula zoveka

      1. @Lens
        Bolani mbuli musakhale inuyo! Kusadzitsata zinthu. Ali ku opposition 2014 sanapite ku debate? The guy overrates himself, he was another low ranked lecturer in US. He’s a proven underperformer as a CEO (minister or president)

        1. @Petros saying it again….. Where did you find APM rankings? He’s a well recognized professor at Washington University. FYI just go to their wikipedia under “List of Washington University faculty and staff”. This guy simunthu olimbana Naye pa m’bwerera zanuzo

        2. The man cannot speak or understand anything so what is he going say at the debate? asiyeni awa their days are numbered

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