By Silvester Ayuba James
When Arthur Peter Mutharika (APM) lost elections in 2020, he went straight to Mangochi and started living among the locals there. In just a few months, he was out to celebrate Eid with the Mangochi Muslim community, wearing his White robe and a cap.
Few weeks later, he was seen cheering the sick at Mangochi hospital, if I remember well. And then, he became a common sight in the marketplace, at cultural events and on various other occasions.
In no time, the whole Eastern region knew the former President was among them and his wife would attend even the smallest of events, sometimes dancing with local women at such occasions.
When he finally announced that he was going to run again, the Eastern region felt like it was their traditional leader vying for Presidency.
And the final result is what you saw in the September 2025 elections. DPP wiped out UDF in Mangochi, Machinga and Balaka. It’s number growing significantly.
Now talk of your man. He loses an election to a person who never campaigned and goes to hide in Area 10. For the first time in history, MCP lost miserably and hopelessly in Salima.
From where I stand, whether for his own sake as he wants to run again or for the sake of party’s image even if he would not make an attempt in 2030, your man needed to start showing visibility and attachment to Salima and Nkhotakota. It’s very strategic. It’s streetwise, politically.
The two districts have a huge population of Muslims. Of course, by now I personally know your man loves being in town, so he cannot settle in Salima and be among the locals communities for five good years.
After all, he failed to build a house for five years. But on a big Muslim occasional day like yesterday, for him to give ‘no show’ to the Muslims of Salima or Nkhotakota, it is totally dumb, politically.
APM’s son was in Liwonde distributing relief items as well as Eid packages to Muslim communities the day before yesterday, carrying the flag of DPP.
No-one from the MCP President’s family was anywhere associating with Muslims on such a big day for them. All we saw was a brief media statement written in English, spread on Facebook.
Abambo anu chandale mulibemo maguy, tiyeni tivomereze. Nde mukamati adzawinanso in 2030, drawing inspiration from APM’s momentous comeback in 2025, ndimangoonapo kupanda nzeru. You commit a fallacy of false analogy. The two are completely different upstairs.
APM settling in rural Mangochi and interacting with the Eastern region communities every single day was a very clever and effective strategy. Your man can’t do that. He can’t even just pay a visit to any rural community. Adzawinira zizungu zothyolera zomwe zija?
Muli ndi chibwana maguy. Chachikulu, cha mchombo lende.
