We’ll ‘force’ Chilima to contest Malawi presidency in 2019: Callista Mutharika talks of ‘political suprises’
There will always be suprises in politics, former first lady Callista Mutharika has said to confirm her stand in support of Vice-President Saulos Chilima to lead the governing Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) as presidential candidate in the 2019 Tripartite Elections.
Callista, the widow of DPP founding president Bingu wa Mutharika, said in interview monitored on Capital FM radio on Friday, she was of the opinion that it was Chilima who would be a better leader.
She said a group of like minded people who wants “a better Malawi” will force Chilima to contest for the hot seat.
The former first lady was confirming her sentiments through a WhatsApp forum for former members of Parliament (MPs) that Chilima was the country’s hope for a better future.
“There will always be suprises in politics,” Callista said similar to what former UK Prime Minister, Harold Macmillan once said.
Responding to a journalist when asked what is most likely to blow government off, Macmillan said “events dear boy events.”
The quote is repeated throughout Westminister till this day like a bible verse.
And Callista was on it emphatically.
“I am talking about the people of Malawi. I am talking about the17 million Malawians, I am representing those people,” she said in the Capital Radio’s interview.
Asked by the journalist what feedback she has got from her opinion to support Chilima, the former first lady said “it is very positive, because people understand why it has to be like that.”
Pressed to explain why she thinks DPP cannot win with President Mutharika as torchbearer, she said: “This is not the time for me to be talking about that, its not yet ripe for me. But time will come when not only about me but others in DPP will give you the reasons why we have to change to Saulos Chilima.”
Callista said she hasn’t met Chilima to discuss about him running for presidency.
“But we will force him, we will ask him to run for presidency because we feel that he is a better person than some of these people we are hearing about,” said Callista.
Asked if Chilima is ready to contest for the presidency, she said: “ I think so, he has the capacity to lead the country and he is a youthful person.”
Responding to a journalist question why she is not willing to support the incumbent President, who is her in-law, Callista said: “Should I be supporting somebody because she is part of my family. Who should I be supporting, an individual or the people of Malawi.”
There was no immediate comment from Presidemt Mutharika or the DPP but the comment clearly shows there division in the Mutharika family.
Office of the Vice-President press aide Pilirani Phiri also refused to comment on the matter.
University of Malawi’s political analyst Ernest Thindwa said the former first lady was simply expressing her opinion, probably based on her objective assessment of the situation in the governing party.
Callista grabbed headlines when she fought for Bingu wa Mutharika’s wealth with her step children.
Some sections of society blame her for ill advising Bingu during his second term of office which led to the former president increasingly becoming arrogant intolerance and dictatorial, a charge she denies.
Her comments come at a time when the country is commemorating the death of Bingu six years ago.
Callista claimed some DPP officials were shutting her up on the matter.
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Whilst Callista’s political reading of DPP internal standing is 100% correct, the answer though may not be Chilima, especially if he has to be “forced” to come forward. I totally agree with the sentiments that DPP is in serious need of a progressive, youthful, energetic and visionary leader (anyboby else but Peter Mutharika); but I believe though that the party needs to truly apply it’s mind and interrogate those that raise their hands for leadership position, at the yet to be announced elective conference. The party should use its Ethics and Intergrity Commitee (if it has one such commitee) to interview candidates vying for key party leadership positions. They should pass the ethics and integrity test, before they are subjected to public scrutiny. These candidate must be young, smart, full of energy and those that can articulate precisely what the party’s ideology is ie socialist-leaning or capitalist type of government. They should also be able state how the type of political ideologies is going to help the poor Malawians. How would it lift Malawi to a middle class economy. If Chilima is able to stand to this scrutiny and is capable of delivering what Malawians want then be it…….but don’t “force” him to the front of queue. On,y he knows when has ready and will raise his hand when the time is ripe for him.
Callista wakodzera pogona. She has never been clever this woman, except for her good looks, m’mutu ndi mamina okha-okha.
Good move .Chakwera wins we are in safe hands .Chilima wins we are in safe hands.I shudder at the thought of power falling into the hands of Marshals ,Ben 10s and company. What will become of Malawi? If people became billionaires in one year of being mere aides.Sazatimalizapo ? Young people let’s not trust crooks.
santana wamumvera Callista pa wailesi, she is emphatically giving genuine reasons about the grandpaaaa and do you refute what she has said that the party has zilombo and its these zilombo zimene zikunamiza grandpaaaaaa? Sincerely APM will be in a state not good to be leader from next year when he clicks 80. Abale zoona zimene akupanga goodal at 86 mukuona ngati akanapanga at 60.
Musaumilize munthu chifukwa mwakonda kufooka kwake ndipo mukuona kuti zikukhala zozizila kuchita zonunkha zanuzoooooooooo!! Peter has attained scrap value in as far as leading a country is concerned…………………………..!!
If Chilima is indeed a big deal he should just form his party. It seems Calista has personal issues with our beloved APM. APM booooooooooooooooma
Point of correction Calista was not First Lady of Bingu, the First Lady who was the mother of the nation was late Ethel Mutharika . It is the lady who gave sound advice to late Bingu, hence his first 5 years we saw the great development. Calista came to state palace due to death so to call her First Lady is not right. She came to Mutharika by crook. She wrongly advised Late Bingu this lunatic woman.
Chilima is a well behaved young man who can not take silly advice from this lady.
Age has nothing to do with leadership but wisdom. You can be young but a fool. Remember Nigeria film “ a fool at forty” The pope lead the Catholic Church he is not young. The Queen is still working and not young.
DPP is still party , Calista will be ashamed soon.
In this case she’s very right. APM is not a leader.inu mukudya nao nchifukwa mwadana nacho chilungamochi. Corruption at an all time high, economy in shambles, magetsi ndi awa amavuta daily wa and the best solution a whole leadership of a country can come up with nakhala gensets kumangobela amalawi at every opportunity. If you can ignore all that and say APM boma it simply means mukupindula nao pamsana pa amalawi as they suffer..or you’re a blind follower
APM has NO leadership qualities, FULL STOP! He is just lucky that his late brother was president and set the platform for APM to easily bulldoze his way to DPP leadership! Callista is very right….APM is a failure and these 5 years of his leadership are even worse than those of Muluzi. SKC can easily beat APM in a leadership contest if they competed on a level ground. APM should just retire in 2019…he has nothing new to offer Malawians!!! Let him retire and play with his grand children in USA. Amangwetu APM akufunanso chani in 2019? Tatopa ndi clueless leadership! Malawi cannot afford to be wasting time on clueless leaders!!
Kwavuta kwavuta inu mukhale chete ndidzakumenyerani nkhondo inu muli chete ndipo awa mukuwaonawa simudzaobaso tiyenazoni
IS THERE ANY OTHER COUNTRY IN SADC NOW WITTH A LEADER WHO IS OVER 70?
Callista has taken a wrong path. She has no mandate to appoint who can become the presidential candidate
She has not appointed but she is nominating
In what capacity is she nominating
Has she appointed anyone? That is a mere opinion.
She is entitled to an opinion and has expressed it well. She just happens to be a high profile individual
I am in support of Former First Lady. We are not doing justice to the young generation. Peter is very old coupled already with poor leadership skill having him as President again will make Malawi worse than what we already experiencing. For sure Chilima will represent DPP and not MCP. There should be no worry here, DPP will still be in government strong with Chilima at the help. If we love Malawi, Chilima is the answer for our children and the ailing country we call Malawi. Go Hard Madam Calista. You might have made mistakes in the past which all of us have, but you are talking sense that require support from all of us. BISHOP ZIYAYE PLEASE Support this God fearing, well educated and quality Leader. MALAWIANS let us rally for Chilima. PROPHET Liabunya l ready prophesized the end of an era
This is very surprising. There are established ways of nominating candidates for the presidency in the DPP party. Why not follow those established policies if she so strongly feels that Chilima should stand? Also there is no president I know in the world who was ever forced to be elected!!! whats wrong with Calista? Whats really going on? How can she says she is representing Malawians? how was she elected to d this? How confusing? does she know what she is doing?
Akulu….have you forgotten what happened with ANC, Mugabe ….did leadership change follow established paths? Not at all.!
Winds of change my friend . They r upon us. Sit back and enjoy the show. God’s ways are not our own
We DPP youth want Chilima ,the grand papa should retire and enjoy his retirement benefits peacefully .why troubling Gogo wathu MUSIYENI Peter akapume zaka 80 simasewera musamuzuze he deserve rest and respect has done his part .Enanu mufuna potimuziti dyererapo masuku pamutu apa .Mumuzuziranji Gogo wathu akapume
On this point, I entirely agree with Callista. Amtchona should let the youthful ones run the country. The madala team are here only to steal, kill and destroy the country. Kwao kunatha angofuna kudyerera. We need to build our country not only for us but even for the generations to come.
Mesa kodi paja mavutowa ali ku MCP kokha nanga izi bwanji ku DPP kopanda mavuto. Makadeti akupha, muphanatu. Tikakhala ife zathu tikuthana nazo tiziona campaign. Mumenyana simunati
A Santana ndi a Hatton, you think problems are only in MCP? she is not the only one but enawo mantha kuopa kuwononga mchere, simunati we are closely watching, nanga Callista tiziti akumutuma ndi ndani?
And I quote, “we will force him to contest.” This is the best deal that young Malawians will ever get. 2019 SCK Boma! Njoka saweta…
A DPP mukachita zimene akunena Mai Calista simuluza ndalama kumagula anthu opanda pake monga Brown Mpinganjira ,kumasokoneza MCP , Kumasintha IG of POLICE , The Vice President is sharp very energetic ,amalankhula zonveka osadikila kuti timve pawailesi chifukwa gogowa zolankhula zawo sizimveka.
Gogo tawasiyani akapume @ 80+ years a MALAWI tagalamukani.Ngati m’boma munthu akafika zaka 60 amati akapume sangathe kuyendetsa ka office kuli bwanji munthu wokalamba ngati Peter angayendetse dziko?DPP DZUKA FROM DEEP SLEEP .MUKANGOTERO INE NDIDZAVOTERA DPP
I SUPPORT
Kwakhola. But remember There is God’s chosen man ready for the contest!
Indeed Mr Chilima is a hard worker and a good leader
Hahahahaha. Kkkkkkk zili kumenekooo DPP Bomaaaa. Indeed boma my foot no sense, guys I have telling you that muntharika is a good leader that’s why he is all over chakwera to be frustrated but God is James kkkk he is even failing to Carry his on Cross. The president is even failing to put his own family in order . that what I have been telling you people these gogo’s matchonas APM & Goodall are here to syphon our resources and go back to america for good after all muntharika is of age image 82 years president has nothing to loose he already on count down. Let us not put our self
@ a tight corner for putting in power an old man. Now where is Mugabe??? Malawian work up don’t wait for calista to spoil the beans, she is just trying to tell you how wicked or president. He is even failing to take care for his late brother wife shame shame shame paja APM amakonda zoyankha apanso ayankhepo kkkkkk mgeme tayankhanituuu
Callista is right. The reason politicians dread an enlightened society is precisely what she has demonstrated……,.independent thinking. Thinking beyond self and valuing the greater society good which ultimately propels society to prosperity. This country needs magufulization in order to move beyond our noses and Saulos would do better than even Magafuli the person.
We need change. DPP can’t win with the same old members. They are a thorn in the skin. Chilima is better and can run the country well without focusing on tribalism as is the case with the incumbet. Mama Calista I salute you for your openness.
Wamisala anaonadi nkhondo
Chidude chinechi chatopetsa , chimunthu chakuba , choyikila kumbuyo mbava , nachoso chakuba chawononga Malawi. Ada Chilima chitani mwa luwi tichituze pa mpandopo. Viva MCP, viva Chakwera!
Holy Spirit
Stupi Chilima is not a politician and he cant propel DPP to victory. He is too pompous and arrogant. Am shocked that people claim that Chilima has the support of the middle class. Which middle class is this? We vote on tribal lines period. If i had power to impose a running mate then i would recommend Atupele Muluzi. He has numbers that are guaranteed. Calista is just a frustrated woman who must be ignored. Let Chilima partner Mia and get the coloured vote.
Callista kumaona mbali zonse. Look at me! Osamaphweketsa . Look at my masters am also youthful babe osamalubwalubwa. Ifeyo tikulamulira iwe kukhalanso first lady ifeyo osalubwalubwa osaphweketsa
Ooo oh God please Remove the scales of blindness from the eyes of my fellow MALAWIANS so that we can see that BUSHIRI IS the Answer to the hardships the country is facing otherwise We will regret like never before in human history
THE FUTURE OF OUR CHILDREN IS NOW
MAY GOD BLESS OUR LAND!
Aaa izinso ndiye ziti
Eee izi zandiopsa.
DPP has to be careful here. If they pitch Saulosi against APM ,APM will loose. Every one I talk to seem dissappointed with APM. No one in DPP would want to fight Saulosi even those for APM
Unfortunaly APM ngosamva.no NGC meeting since 2014.he is so incapable of making decisions without consulting people who are far less intelligent than himself
This Jezebel killed Bingu!
Chati chubwiiii
I am a Malawi Congress Supporter. I have been anticipating for the same thing to occur in DPP. And if it happens, more people will definitely vote for Chilima as President of Malawi. However for MPs, more votes may be given to MCP members of parliament. Hence the President might xome from DPP and the majority of members of Parliament from Malawi Congress Party
Kuyamba kwa chipasupasu cha DPP.
Zamunyasa. Amayesa akajambulisanso zithunzi ku ndata . This is senseless. petulo ndi saulo aluyendetsela limodzi boma. Ukufuna adane? Poyamba mumati Petulo saima lero mwini wake wati ayima zakunyansani. Shithole propaganda. Uyesa akachoka Petulo ukatenga ndata?
Ayayayayaya
Take it or leave it. The book entitled The Centre Cannot Hold by Elyn R. Saks is very interesting in many ways but Hope those who went to school and read this book would agree that when things go wrong at times they are not reversible. It is clear that in DPP there is no true tranqulity or peace as other want to put it. The time for reality check is here and DPP zealots should be brave for unfolding of events that shall break hearts and divide. This is not because all people are bad in DPP, not that the president has irresponsible character. No he is actually a nice man. However, the DPP party has over the years built itself on PANGAs, Corruption, Nepotism, MBCism, Blindfolding Malawians etc etc. These are not foundations that can stand forever. To say DPP will rule up 2084 is like cheating an educated person on face. There are two things that DPP will face no matter what. 2019 and 2014. These two years will define leadership for the party and ist survival in the history of Malawi.
Coming back to the writer of the book above here I quote and it is advice to those who truly love DPP, those who can take advice:
“If you are walking on a path thick with brambles and rocks, a path that abruptly twists and turns, it’s easy to get lost, or tired, or discouraged. You might be tempted to give up entirely. But if a kind and patient person comes along and takes your hand, saying, “I see you’re having a hard time- here, follow me, I’ll help you find your way,” the path becomes manageable, the journey less frightening.” Elyn R. Saks
I like this ‘events dear boy events’
“Pressed to explain why she thinks DPP cannot win with President Mutharika as torchbearer, she said: “This is not the time for me to be talking about that, its not yet ripe for me. But time will come when not only about me but others in DPP will give you the reasons why we have to change to Saulos Chilima”
Ngati DPP idzawine cisankho cha 2019 it will be after being bruised bruised bruised. Another quote
““But we will force him, we will ask him to run for presidency because we feel that he is a better person than some of these people we are hearing about,” said Callista.
Another one ”
Callista said: “Should I be supporting somebody because she is part of my family. Who should I be supporting, an individual or the people of Malawi.”
Kwavuta basi. Ambuye Yesu tiuzeni zochita
Callista is the wrong person to be bidding for Chilima. I would be concerned if I were Chilima.
Calista has put Chilima in every awkward position
Callista wachita misala. Chilima should be very careful… VP Joyce Banda who seemed to be the saviour of the people zinamukanika pachisankho. Let Chilima not be ill-advised by such a misguided woman.
Peter Munthalika wakula akaimanso potha zaka 5 azakhala atakalamba motheratu, sazakwanitsa kupanga ziganizo zoyenera tiyeni tivomereze tonse a DPP tisamangotsutsa zilizonnse