Chilima faction, APM trade barbs

Divisions in the governing Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) reached a new high yesterday when President Peter Mutharika and DPP members sympathetic to Vice-President Saulos Chilima engaged in a verbal tirade 300 kilometres away from each other.

Mutharika used the official government podium in Blantyre Rural at the second ground-breaking ceremony for a 19-kilometre (km) stretch of the 62-km Lirangwe-Chingale-Machinga Road to brand the self-styled Chilima Movement a bunch of cowards for allegedly plotting to seek a court order to block the party’s convention set for June at a yet-to-be-advised date.

On the other hand, the Chilima Movement with DPP national director of women and Mulanje West legislator Patricia Kaliati as the key speaker, addressed the media at Golden Peacock Hotel in Lilongwe where they branded Mutharika as “a clueless leader” and nominated Chilima as a presidential candidate at the convention.

Mutharika has on more than one occasion declared he will lead DPP in the elections while Chilima has remained silent on calls for him to vie for the presidency.

Former first lady Callista Mutharika—widow of DPP founding president and the incumbent President’s elder brother, Bingu wa Mutharika—sparked the succession debate weeks ago when she said her in-law, 79, should pave the way for the comparatively younger Chilima, 45, widely seen as a hands-on and results-oriented leader as evidenced by the success of the Public Sector Reforms Programme he vibrantly led which has lost steam since it was moved from his office.

While avoiding a direct attack or reference to the Vice-President—as he has often done—Mutharika dared those canvassing for Chilima’s candidacy to turn up in large numbers at the convention and face him. He warned he will trounce them.

“Ena amadandaula kuti akufuna convention, taitanitsa convention akuti akufuna akatenge chiletso ku khothi. Si zautsiru zimenezo? Ali ndi mantha! Akunjenjemera! Abwere ku convention ndipo tikawafinya! Tikawapondaponda! Tikawanyenyanyenya! [They demanded that we call a convention, now they want to get a court order to stop it. They are scared! Let them face me at the convention where I will give them a whitewash],” said Mutharika.

Chilima, who met Mutharika behind closed doors at Sanjika Palace in Blantyre on Monday after rebuffing three Cabinet ministers the President sent as emissaries to ask him to publicly dismiss the faction, did not attend either of the two events yesterday.

DPP women and youth cadets rallied behind Mutharika, chanting: “A Peter ayimanso! [Peter Mutharika is our candidate]. A Peter boma! [Peter Mutharika is government].” They also taunted pro-Chilima DPP members as crybabies: “Wina alira…Walira kale [They are crying]. Achoke! Achoke! [They must be fired!]”

In Lilongwe, Kaliati accused Mutharika of clinging to power after allegedly promising to serve only one presidential term.

She said the President has also demonstrated poor leadership skills and fails to make decisions.

Kailati also said the DPP national governing council (NGC) term expired in March; hence, has no mandate to call a convention.

Contrary to Mutharika’s claims of a pending legal action to block the convention, the pro-Chilima team said they were looking forward to the convention and were confident Chilima will accept their nomination and triumph.

Callista, who was present and was seen dancing and singing while clad in DPP party cloth with a portrait of Bingu, apologised to Malawians for “misleading them” to vote for APM.

She said: “He is good as a lawyer and academician, but a bad leader.”

But presidential press secretary and spokesperson Mgeme Kalirani said the Chilima Movement was a grouping of disgruntled politicians and individuals of questionable character.

He said: “Malawians are the best judges. President Mutharika has achieved more developmental projects in four years across the country than any leader before him. He has stabilised the economy from a very difficult period and all professional bona-fide economic analysts have hailed him for that. What the President has failed is to accommodate these questionable characters in his administration and he has no regrets for that.”

Blantyre City East member of Parliament (MP) and former DPP regional governor (South) Noel Masangwi, a member of the Chilima Movement, said by expressing ‘tikunyenyaninyenyani’ sentiments and calling the movement ‘stupid’ Mutharika has demonstrated a lack of tolerance and poor leadership.

During Mutharika’s rally, DPP secretary general Grezeldar Jeffrey and regional governor (South) Charles Mchacha warned Chilima against being cheated by “few mercenaries” saying they have great respect for him because of his association with DPP and the President.

Mutharika launched the 19 km stretch after his predecessor, Joyce Banda, also conducted a ground-breaking ceremony for the same road in 2014. The launched stretch which will cost K5.3 billion is scheduled to be completed in 18 months. n