State House rubbishes Nation newspaper on APM ‘ignoring’ Chakwera

Malawi State House has dismissed media reports that President Peter Mutharika he ignored presence of leader of opposition in Parliament Lazarus Chakwera launch of HTD’s Abdul Majid Motor City, saying he did not him due to a barrier.

Chakweera sat on the presidential podium alongside former president Bakili Muluzi, Cabinet ministers, Chief Secretary to the Government George Mkondiwa and First Deputy Speaker of Parliament Esther Mcheka Chilenje, among others.
Chakweera sat on the presidential podium alongside former president Bakili Muluzi, Cabinet ministers, Chief Secretary to the Government George Mkondiwa and First Deputy Speaker of Parliament Esther Mcheka Chilenje, among others.

A statement signed by presidential press secretary Frederick Ndala, said Mutharika did not ignore Chakwera, but failed to give him a handshake because of a barrier.

The statement also rubbishes Malawi’s flagship daily newspaper, The Nation for indicating in their story that Mutharika ignored Chakwera twice.

“If The Nation Newspaper had done thorough investigations, it would have learnt that the president actually had problems in greating former president Dr Bakili Muluzi who was sitting adjacent to the president due to the barrier in the VVIP platform.

“He did not see Right Hon Chakwera because of the barrier. All the people present at the event  saw how the barrier made it difficult for the president to interact with Muluzi.”

The statement said the barrier is a physic one and does not exist in the so called barrier in the president’s psyche as insinuated by the newspaper.

Ndala also said it was just an oversight for the President not to recognise the leader of opposition in his salutations.

He said salutations document was handed over to the President as he was about to speak and as such he genuinely missed Chakwera’s name and a few others at the event.

“The State House is dismayed with lack of professionalism and the apparent ill-intent to bring unnecessary political innuendo in an otherwise straight forward matter as displayed in the paper report and its editorial,” Ndala, a former editor of Malawi News said in apparent attack to The Nation.

“We would like to urge The Nation to refrain from reporting on non-issues and positively report on substantial matters aimed at building the nation,” reads part of the statement.

As an example, the statement said in the past public functions Mutharika has dully recognised Chakwera.

Chakwera, who is also Malawi Congress Party (MCP) president and finished second to Mutharika in the controversial May 20 Tripartite Elections, was one of the high-profile guests that sat on the presidential podium alongside former president Bakili Muluzi, Cabinet ministers, Chief Secretary to the Government George Mkondiwa and First Deputy Speaker of Parliament Esther Mcheka Chilenje, among others.

Chakwera, whose party argues was robbed of victory during the May 20 Tripartite Elections that put Mutharika in power, was cheered by his party supporters who attended the launch.

HTD Limited is a private local limited liability company incorporated in Malawi in 1993 and started constructing the new premises in 2004.

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Mbwiye
Mbwiye
9 years ago

Ulemu sapempha ndipo moni sapempha. Bakili ndi Chakwera ndi anthu amaudindo osiyana, wina anali president ndipo wina sanakhalepo president komanso akhoza kusazakhala chifukwa ndi mulungu yekha amene akuziwa. Bakili belongs to the presidency and enjoys the benefits of being in the presidency along side with JB, Malewezi, Chilumpha, Uncle KK Mabedi APM and Achimwene che Saulos. Level ya Chakwera ndi JZU, Abel Kayembe and Mbuya Nana. These are/were mere leaders of opposition MPs and not even leader of all MPs in Parliament. So do not over value people. I can understand why Chakwera is not bothered. To begin with why… Read more »

zoshola
zoshola
9 years ago

anyani a DPP

boston mlotha
boston mlotha
9 years ago

what a nosense what do you mean when saying a “barrier”din’t you see those barriers before on your logistics?

Mong'onyolani
9 years ago

Yes Malawi is watching. Which barriers are you talking about? Za dala izi Ndi APM

Zachisoni Phiri
Zachisoni Phiri
9 years ago

Go ahead Chakwera osachita ngati za bakha uja kuthawa debate nchifukwa chake daluza uja.

Jabesi
Jabesi
9 years ago

Zazii, zamkhutu, ignored or not ignored what benefit does it take to the poor Malawian?

Wiseone
Wiseone
9 years ago

Hahaha,,who can trust the reason?,,kikiki,,lol,,zimangondisekesa

pearson sadala
pearson sadala
9 years ago

Cheap talk. Fred ndala if i were you i wudnt have bothered to write this crap.
You dunno what you are there for. What was the barrier? You mean these days akumaona za tudzi zo

chatonda
chatonda
9 years ago

Dr Chakwera continue appearing on those meetings even if the president deliberately or not ignores you. Visibility is important at public events. They pay in future. You are for sure the next president of Malawi.

clement
clement
9 years ago

When bringing your stupid comments,you have to read the story before commentingProf APM is a man of followers whatever we shall fight.So don’t make silly noisy just to insult the president and don’t dream MCP will rule Malawi again.It was only in dark ages unless they change the “congress” but if remains like that mmmmm forget about it.You will be crying atibela forever visiru.ln DPP, we trust Prof APM amalilitsa.

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