Are some DPP gurus really more powerful than Mutharika himself?

Since taking office, President Peter Arthur Mutharika (APM) has baffled numerous citizens of Malawi with his controversial decisions. Thus, this piece aims to examine the factors that truly shape APM’s decision-making.

For starters, it is evident that certain DPP leaders, like Alfred Gangata, provided financial support to the party in order to aid APM in attaining power. This implies that these individuals hold considerable sway over the party’s choices and principles.

Obviously, this kind of financial backing creates a power dynamic where those who contribute heavily to a party’s campaign are expected to have a starker influential say in its governance.

Furthermore, APM’s appeasement policy of appointing individuals with corruption charges into public office indicates a potential compromise in governance and ethics.

Nevertheless, this appeasement policy is seen as a strategy to maintain loyalty within the party, as those appointed have either previously supported the party’s agenda or contributed to its success.

Regrettably, the concept of “lhomwenism” highlights how regional affiliations impact political power within the party.

It must be appreciated that DPP has been led by Lhomwe brothers , Bingu and Peter Mutharika since the party’s inception.

As a result, individuals from the Lhomwe belt are perceived to have more influence as they are being appointed into top notch government positions.

If this trend persists, it has the potential of culminating into feelings of marginalization among other groups, potentially affecting party unity and governance.

With APM’s last term approaching, there is speculation about who might succeed him. The lack of a clear succession plan in the DPP constitution leads to internal power struggles, especially among influential party members.

This is why some DPP figures are positioning themselves as potential successors to APM. No wonder, this has created factions within the party, as different individuals vie for influence and support.

Regrettably, despite being the current Vice President, Jane Ansah has been excluded from discussions about who will succeed APM at the party level.

However, according to the Malawi Constitution, Ansah is still considered a possible replacement in case of any unforeseen circumstances.

It is not therefore perplexing that the potential successor to APM will mostly likely come from the Lhomwe belt.

Moreover, the fact that some DPP gurus are wealthier than the party itself suggests a significant concentration of power and resources among a few individuals.

This obviously leads to a situation where the interests of these wealthy individuals take precedence over either the broader goals of the party or the needs of the electorate.

Additionally, renowned lawyer Alexious Kamangila’s statement about the involvement of DPP members, such as Alfred Gangata, Joseph Mwanaamveka, Frank Mbeta, and others in the Amaryllis hotel scam implies that there are significant accusations of corruption within the party.

Therefore, the hesitation of APM to take swift action against these individuals is a result of either political motives or a wish to preserve party cohesion.

Truth be told, the decision not to suspend these party members hinders thorough investigations into the alleged fraud, raising concerns about accountability and governance within the DPP.

Recently, DPP supporters have expressed great joy and excitement over the Attorney General, Frank Mbeta’s, skillful handling of questions during his appearance before the Parliamentary Public Appointment Committee (PAC).

However, it should be emphasized that Frank Mbeta is a professional lawyer, so the art of cross-examination is his bread and butter. Even when facing criminal charges, he is able to skillfully respond to questions especially from non-legal individuals such as members of PAC.

Therefore, it is crucial that trained law enforcement officers conduct a comprehensive inquiry into the Amaryllis hotel financial fraud and those responsible for fraudulent activities, regardless of public status, must be held accountable by the competent legal system.

Many Malawians are concerned about the potential influence of certain DPP members who are close to President Mutharika and therefore are taking advantage of his elderly age to sway his decisions.

In summary, it can be logically concluded that APM’s decisions are impacted by various factors and certain DPP gurus are being seen as more influential than APM.

Disclaimer: The views expressed in the article are those of The author not necessarily of The Maravi Post or Editor