MZUZU-(MaraviPost)-The undisputed outcome of the Karonga by-election results and series of defections of the opposition Members of Parliament (MPs) as well as ward councilors in the north north region [which includes Rumphi, Karonga and Chitipa districts] have left opposition parties with a high political mountain to climb some commentators have said.
Last year, the ruling Malawi Congress Party (MCP) swept all three seats in Karonga wards by-election and then received two councilors from Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) as well as an independent MP for Rumphi West Jonah Mkandawire.
And in this month, MCP officially welcomed Chitipa Wenya MP Welani Chilenga and Karonga north constituency MP Mungasulwa Mwambande respectively.
But commentators who includes Undule Mwakasungula and Youths Action Campaign (YAC) executive director Jackson Caesar-Msiska said the development should be wakeup call to the opposition.
“In 2019 elections, north north region was almost equally shared between MCP and DPP especially when it comes to MPs as well as ward councilors. But today, the ruling MCP has dominated as many have joined. This must be a worrisome to the opposition as far as 2025 elections are concerned,” they said.
They said while opposition can afford a political breathe in other districts in the north, but things are different in north north region despite having a Minister and few members of the party’s National Governing Council (NEC).
According to them, this is because of its leadership apart from development projects that the current administration has done in the area.
“I will give you an example of the party’s second deputy secretary general Uchizi Mkandawire. He has been able to use his ministerial position to benefit the region starting when he was a vice chairperson of the area. Mkandawire and his team in the region have managed to strengthen the party’s structures on the ground,” highlighted Msiska.
The two said MCP has big chance to sweep more votes and seats in the region especially if the opposition continue sleeping saying “even when it comes to 50+1, north north will play a crusial role.”
However, DPP vice president for the north Jappie Mhango said his party will beat MCP coming 6th September, 2025.
According to Mhango, the whole northern region is tired with the current administration.
