Patricia Kaliati

Information and Civic Education Minister, I would realise that I have been exposed big time following my statement that former Vice-President now State President Joyce Banda, could not take over from the late president Bingu wa Mutharika because she did not belong to the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP).

If I were my valentine, I would appreciate that my explanation that I was betrayed by some fellow Cabinet ministers does not hold because I should have known that based on the Constitution, what was agreed was wrong.

Even without being directed by my Cabinet colleagues, I would realise that the Republican Constitution is crystal clear, even to a layperson on legal matters, on succession in the event that the incumbent president is incapacitated or dies.

How I wish I were ‘Akweni’, because I would have been brave enough to tell my colleagues that what had been agreed on was wrong.

I would also realise that one can only defend a reasonable agreement and that is why some of the ministers refused to be party to the meeting.

I would further realise, if I were my valentine, that while I have withdrawn my statement, the sad part is that the damage has already been done.

That is of, course, if I were Kaliati. Unfortunately, I am not her, I am just her Valentine!