BLANTYRE(MaraviPost)–Malawian social commentator James Mwangali has defended special assistant to President Peter Mutharika, Ben Phiri, against unprecedented accusations from former legal advisor to late Bingu Wa Mutharika, Allan Ntata, arguing Phiri is a man of virtue and has been loyal to Mutharika in good, bad and tough times.
Ntata, Barrister of Middle Temple as he calls himself, accused Phiri of forming a ring of fence around the presidency, blocking others from contributing, among others.
Reacting, Mwangali, in his article, says President Mutharika is not making any blunder by working closely with Phiri because he (Phiri) is one of the trusted aides and he showed first class loyalty when the president was outside the government.
“However, contrary, to these accusations, many, the author inclusive, know that Ben Phiri is a man of virtue, he is a loyal person, one who remained loyal to Professor Arthur Peter Mutharika, during good, bad and tough times. He sacrificed everything including, putting his life in danger, because he believed in the cause advanced by the Professor.
“He faced a lot of temptations, some so tempting that most of us would have chosen to betray the Professor, but he remained steadfast. He worked hard to ensure the Professor achieved his plans. While the author may not claim to know Ben Phiri personally, one thing, the author is pretty sure is that Ben Phiri is a loyal person that every person, let alone every leader, would want to have around,” reads the article in part.
Some people who are following avidly the battle between Ntata and the State House, have argued on the social network that Ntata is frustrated hence the scaffing articles while some feel Ntata, though frustrated, is saying nothing but the truth.
Reports have it that Ben Phiri is the one who convinced Mutharika to deny Ntata any position in the government. – MaraviPost
