Chakwera denies seeking chiefs’ favours
President Lazarus Chakwera has dismissed suggestions that his meeting with about 70 traditional leaders from the Northern Region on Monday was aimed at seeking favours ahead of the September 2025 Tripartite Elections.
Speaking on behalf of the President after the four-hour engagement at Mzuzu State Lodge, Minister of Local Government, Unity and Culture Richard Chimwendo Banda said people will always have their own perceptions, but the President met the chiefs to discuss development.
He said: “As per tradition, all chiefs from the Northern Region have to come together to meet the President on the progress of development projects happening in their areas. They had a very cordial discussion and the President allowed them to express themselves.”
The minister said some of the critical issues tabled during the meeting included M’Mbelwa University and Nthalire Road construction as well as M1 rehabilitation.
Chimwendo Banda said the chiefs also commended the President for ending the quota system.
Speaking in an interview, Senior Chief Kameme of Chitipa said as traditional leaders, they have a role to push for various development projects.
He said: “In Chitipa our biggest challenge is the road network as you know we are in between two countries. The Nthalire side passing Nyika, you can see the road challenges there.
“Even as you go to Kameme, this is the route used by buses and business operators.”
On his part, Traditional Authority Nyalwanga of Nkhata Bay said he used the meeting to thank the President for increasing their honoraria by 100 percent which he said should have happened a long time ago.
Other senior chiefs in attendance included Paramount Chief Kyungu of Karonga and Chitipa districts, Inkosi ya Makosi M’Mbelwa V of the Jere Ngoni and Paramount Chief Chikulamayembe of the Tumbuka people, among others.
