Malawi Congress Party (MCP) president Lazarus Chakwera faces a seven-day ultimatum to call an emergency convention, suspend the disputed party restructuring and withdraw candidature fees for committee elections.
Led by former MCP Southern Region chairperson Dennis Nanthumba, the petitioners have threatened to seek court intervention if the party fails to act within the deadline.
“Should we receive no satisfactory response within that period, we reserve the right to seek appropriate relief from a court of competent jurisdiction, including declaratory and, where necessary, interim injunctive relief,” reads the petition in part.
Dated November 5, 2026, the petition was delivered on Tuesday to MCP administrative secretary Howard Kachipanda, who confirmed receiving two envelopes addressed to Chakwera. He said he did not open them and could not verify their contents.
Nanthumba, who is aspiring for the Southern Region chairmanship, confirmed signing the petition on behalf of the group. He said Chakwera’s term as party president had expired.
“We want the president to know that his term expired. He has no powers to dictate matters in the party,” he said.
The petition asks Chakwera to initiate constitutional procedures for an emergency convention under Article 39 of the MCP Constitution.
It also demands an immediate suspension of the proposed demarcation of party regions and districts, and withdrawal of candidature fees for regional, district, constituency and area committee elections.
The petitioners further argue that Article 31 limits the presidency to two five-year terms, and contend that Chakwera is no longer eligible for another term following MCP’s defeat in the September 16, 2025 General Election.
Chakwera, however, has declared his intention to contest the 2030 General Election on an MCP ticket.
On restructuring, the petitioners argue that creating new regions and districts could affect membership allocation, eligibility for elective positions, electoral boundaries and representation at the convention.
In July, MCP presidential hopeful Alex Major called for a convention to elect new party leaders and cautioned against constitutional changes intended to extend Chakwera’s tenure.
In October 2025, 42 district chairpersons and three regional chairpersons also petitioned Chakwera to convene an emergency convention.
But the MCP National Executive Committee resolved to retain Chakwera as party president, dismissing calls for his replacement.
Chakwera’s spokesperson Gift Nankhuni had not responded to our questionnaire by press time.
