Chilima to break the silence
The Vice President Saulos Klaus Chilima will today end his silence on his political future and announce his eagerly anticipated response to calls that he should stand as a presidential candidate for the ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP).
Chilima, 45, is expected to address the nation amid rising tension in the country two months after the former first lady Callista Mutharika endorsed him for presidency thanks to an unprecedented leadership challenge his backers in the ruling party have mounted against his boss and the incumbent president, Peter Mutharika.
Officials close to Chilima yesterday were tongue-tied on what the former corporate executive is likely to say, with his spokesperson Pilirani Phiri deferring any questions that would easily provide hints on the Vice president’s decision.
However, as news broke about the impending conference which is likely to shape the next presidential elections in eleven months’ time, there were no signs that the Chilima movement in the DPP was fading.
Among interesting developments, yesterday, a group of party youths and vendors from Lilongwe’s Tsoka and Kawale Markets led by Symon Maseko—donning Chilima branded DPP regalia— invited the media to endorse him ahead of the conference.
Chilima is expected to address the press at his office at Capital Hill from 10 am.
Just last week, a grouping calling itself Chilimaism movement conducted a press conference which was led by the former cabinet minister and Mulanje West MP, Patricia Kaliati where they endorsed him as their presidential candidate against the incumbent president whom they said has come of age and needs to retire politics.
The rift between the two factions in the party has created hate speeches and ridicule to the extent that the president himself said he was going to deal with anyone who is against him including those for the Chilima Movement.
DPP regional governor for the South Charles Mchacha publicly ridiculed Patricia Kaliati for siding with Chilima to the extent of calling her stupid and said her husband who is also a politician made a wrong decision in marrying her.
