Mutharika toasts victory with whistle stop
Malawi President Peter Mutharika on Wednesday took a whistle stop tour from commercial capital Blantyre to administrative capital Lilongwe, about 360km, addressing people along the way, thanking them for electing him President as well as promising to deliver.
Speaking to supporters at Biwi Triangle in Lilongwe at the end of his trip, President Mutharika, the brother of president Bingu wa Mutharika who died in office in 2012, said now that the elections are over, it is “time to work” and “ rebuild the nation.”
“We have fought a positive and clean campaign,” he said, adding “Malawians have responded well to that.”
He maintained that Malawi is facing “serious problems” and almost on “the verge of collapse.”
The 74-year-old law professor said Malawians have made a clear choice against politics of hate, ill-will and tribalism, saying they have resolutely decided to vote for development and unison.
He said people want to side with a progressive movement that is committed to delivering inclusive growth.
Mutharika said an era of opportunism and meaningless political rhetoric is over and that its time for national development and unity.
The President said his government will set out to work hard to ensure development and equitable supply of resources.
He also assured DPP government will implement pro-poor measures that will culminate into speedy economic expansion, job creation and poverty reduction.
Mutharika was sworn in as president on Saturday and inaugurated as President on Monday.