Nankhumwa, others,urged to remain in DPP

Political pundits have urged estranged Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) senior members, Kondwani Nankhumwa and former secretary general Grelzelder Jeffrey, among others, to stick with the party, despite going through what they term as rough time.

Nankhumwa, among others, were removed from their positions within the party by its leader Peter Mutharika, and are now awaiting determinations of a disciplinary committee to decide their fate for allegedly being part of the December 6 2023 national governing council (NGC) meeting.

In an interview, political pundit Ernest Thindwa said the options for Nankhumwa and the rest are limited, but it was especially hard for Nankhumwa.

“It is particularly harsh for Nankhumwa for on one hand he can only win a parliamentary seat if he stands on a DPP ticket and on another hand Mutharika loyalists who now have a leverage following the court determination will find it extremely challenging to accommodate him within the party ranks.

“Forming a new party is certainly not an option for it is not a viable alternative suggesting his ambitions in the political arena hang in balance,” he said.

On his part, governance expert George Chaima said Nankhumwa and his team have to remain in the party if they really have canine teeth to bite and win the hot seat of presidency in DPP.

“That will prove their popularity and trust which they have been preaching about. They have to campaign rigorously, spreading their wings across the cardinal party membership,” he said.

But political analyst Wonderful Mkhutche said Nankhumwa, Jeffrey and others are faced with two options: “Join other existing parties or remain in the DPP. However, they will not be easily accommodated in other new parties, and in DPP, they will be sidelined as much as possible.

Mkutche said while the DPP require desperately needs new blood, the same is not promising.

“For example, Nankhumwa has not used his role as Leader of Opposition to demonstrate that he can lead the country into change. Therefore, although the old blood is tired and weary, the new blood is not ready to lead.

“Further, the new faces and names to lead such as Bright Msaka and Dalitso Kabambe are lost in the intra-party wrangles and have not demonstrated that they can take the party or country further. This is not to say that they cannot lead, but DPP has created an unfair environment within itself.

Article 6 (v) of the DPP constitution states that each member of the party shall obey and carry out all lawful instructions given by a senior member of the party to whom he reports in the performance of his functions in the party or to whom he is otherwise answerable by reason of rank.”

Cracks in DPP came to light after Jeffrey in August 2020 told The Nation that Mutharika had done his part and that the party needed a new person to lead it into the future, calling for an early convention.