First Vice-President (FVP) Jane Ansah has distanced herself from speculation that she could assume the Presidency, saying such statements undermine unity and constitutional order.
In a statement issued on Friday, Ansah’s spokesperson Richard Mveriwa said the office “does not associate itself with opinions or actions that seek to destabilise the Presidency.”
“The office remains firmly guided by the Constitution of the Republic of Malawi and does not support or endorse any position that is inconsistent with the constitutional order or that has the potential to erode the unity and stability of the Presidency,” the statement reads.
“Her Honour the Vice-President firmly believes in the principles of unity of purpose, constitutionalism and respect for the Presidency.”
The response follows remarks by Centre for Democracy and Economic Development Initiatives (CDEDI) executive director Sylvester Namiwa during an interview with Luntha TV on Tuesday.
Namiwa alleged that divisions within the ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) could lead to Ansah assuming the Presidency within two months.
“In [DPP], there are not more than five individuals who think they own that party… But with all that is happening, the ultimate beneficiary is the First Vice-President. She is smart. They are campaigning for her… if all this that is happening does not change, in the next two months the next President of this country is Dr. Jane Ansah,” Namiwa said.
Presidential press secretary Cathy Maulidi declined to comment yesterday..
In an interview yesterday, government and DPP spokesperson Shadric Namalomba described Namiwa “an attention seeker” who makes baseless claims.
Political analyst Ernest Thindwa described the FVP’s response as mature and professional.
Mveriwa said Ansah remains committed to her constitutional mandate and to supporting the President.
“Malawians must, therefore, disregard any assertions suggesting otherwise. They do not reflect the position of the First Vice-President or her office,” he said.
Ansah’s statement came amid media reports of strained relations between President Peter Mutharika and Ansah.
Mutharika picked Ansah, a retired Justice of Appeal and former Malawi Electoral Commission chairperson, as his running mate in the September 16 2025 General Election.
