PP’s meeting discuss Atupele’s age: Muluzi says ‘baby’ born ‘78
Malawi’s ruling People’s Party (PP) officials are reported to have met at Kampala’s Lodge in Mangochi over the weekend with lawmaker Yusuf Matumula proposing that they should scheme against UDF youthful presidential candidate Atupele Muluzi to block him from running for presidency next year.
According to inside sources who attended the meeting, it was agreed that government or its agents should challenge Atupele that he cannot run for presidency on pretext that he would not have attained the 35-years constitutional requirement when the country goes to polls around May next year.
The Republican Constitution prescribes 35 years and above as the required age to become President of the Republic.
Nyasa Times contacted Atupele’s father, Bakili Muluzi who ruled Malawi from 1994 to 2004, to verify his son’s age.
The senior Muluzi said: “I am the father and can tell you without any fear of contradiction that my son Atupele was born on 6th August 1978 at Kamuzu Central Hospital.”
The former president said Atupele was born when he was secretary-general of Malawi Congress Party and minister without portfolio.
He confirmed that founding president Kamuzu Banda named his son Atupele “that was in 1978.”
According to Muluzi, the presidential hopeful has stood for parliamentary elections twice for Machinga North East and has had the same details of birth date on records.
“He has had six passports all bearing the same details. Atupele never knew he was going to aspire for presidency when he was acquiring his passports.
“Atupele will be celebrating his 35th birthday anniversary this year. He was born of 6 August 1978, period,” said Muluzi.
He however refused to be drawn to comment on Atupele’s presidential campaign.
Atupele’s detractors have also been claiming that he may not have succeeded in his university studies in the United Kingdom.
But University of Leicester, which Atupele attended between 1997 and 2000, confirmed that the young Muluzi is its Economics and Law graduate.
Registrar and Secretary of Leicester University, David Hill confirmed that Atupele graduated from the tertiary school on July 14, 2000 having studied for a BA Economics and Law degree.
He graduated with Second Class Honours (Lower Division).
The university records, according to Hall, also indicate that Atupele was born on August 6, 1978.
Meanwhile, UDF secretary general Kandi Padambo said Atupele will be taking his whistle-stop political meetings to Blantyre on Sunday.
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