Nenenji Mlangeni
LILONGWE-(MaraviPost)-Malawi Constitutional Court (ConCourt) on February 3, 2020 shamed President Peter Mutharika alongside Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) and embattled Malawi Electoral Commission (MEC).
The ConCourt brought back the lost glory of conducting credible elections and taming laziness among Malawians that once the president is sworn in, that’s it all, and nothing can come along to nullify polls.
The February 3′ landmark presidential election case ruling, humbled crooked politicians who manipulated the entire electoral body system to their interests.
Fresh presidential polls in the next 79 days if it’s really practical holding (time factor) should give a new era for Malawians to put insightful leadership that serves interests of citizenry.
Malawi being presidential system of government that head of state has it all on his or her head to run the show of the country, good choice must be made.
Most Malawians want an electoral alliance to meet 50+1 presidential vote which is now very critical to attain.
The article focuses on Malawi Congress Party (MCP) and UTM party possible electoral alliance for the fresh presidential election.
Both camps have confirmed talking to each on the alliance but most contentious issue is who must lead the movement to unseat Mutharika and DPP.
Firstly, MCP must shave its ego taking Dr. Lazarus Chakwera as semi-god and only leader can take into power. This is wrong.
Secondly, MCP must tame its arrogance of having many lawmakers as being popular shamefully whose Member of Parliament (MP) are only from central region partly Northern region.
Now, when negotiating for electoral alliance a number of areas must be looked into; appealing, resourceful, marketer, insightful, taming regionalism, nepotism and among others.
Why Chilima must lead the alliance not Chakwera? Although MCP loyalists will not accept facts outlined below.
Appealing, marketing mode
When you take Chilima and Chakwera to the public, the UTM leader has an edge over Chakwera the way the two talks to the people. Chilima has youth appeal across the country while Chakwera only within the party and central region. Chilima knows how sell the product that’s why he managed to get over one million tippexed votes just nine months after establishment of UTM.
Practical Manifesto
UTM has practical and appealable Manifesto than that of MCP: Three course meal, removing presidential immunity when entangled into law, affordable social services provision; water, electricity, farm inputs and among others. Chilima has always explained in details how will be achieved.
Taming regionalism, favoritism and nepotism
Look, MCP leadership is full of members from one district Lilongwe which Chakwera comes from. What if he becomes head of state? What type of cabinet are we going to have? We are talking of insightful leadership here. Chakwera once becomes a head of state will have the entire mandate to fire and hire everyone to favor his people. Chakwera has not proved to be a good leader who stands on national interests but personal and power hungry.
In UTM, Chilima being at the helm of the party, positions are shared across the country not by regions, tribe.
Resourceful and entangle with political monies to run party affairs
Generally, Chakwera is not blessed with giving out spirit, always waits to receive. This is dangerous. Chakwra has been always financially supported to run his family and party even if he gets resources only puts them to his chest. Just recently, Simbi Phiri of Khato Construction firm told the nation that he supports both DPP and Chakwera. Will Chakwera going to be free from Simbi once get the high office?
On the other hand, Chilima is result-oriented person that those who work with him knows exactly that Chilima is a man of his own word. Chilima has ability to mobilize resources for the party unlike Chakwera who always wait to receive.
Leadership skills
Chakwera has never shown serious leadership skills in MCP. For instance, he failed to united former party’s district and regional chairpersons into new MCP. The matter ended up in court whose results till now is not yet resolved. Eventually, towards May 21 polls, many of them joined other parties.
Chakwera failed also to work along with the former party gurus: Dr. Jessie Kabwila, Gustav Kaliwo, Richard Msowoya, Joseph Njovuyalema, Chatinkha Chidzanja Nkhoma and others for fear of being ousted from his position.
Now, will Chakwera going to be a listening head of state from dissenting views? Even at his constituency, the MCP leader is not in good terms with locals.
On the other hand, Chilima is proved to be insightful leader while serving as Malawi Vice President. Chilima was once tussled with Mutharika on other wrong path government takes which is rarely in MCP camp where Chakwera is taken as semi-god.
Chakwera has the vengeance spirit on those deemed to cross his ways unlike Chilima who recently said the past is gone, the nation needs to move forward.
Therefore, Chilima will be able work beyond party politics to serve Malawi than Chakwera who is docile to handle pertinent issues.
Son and neighbor factor
Chilima is a son to Mutharika and DPP who knows exactly what government machinery does while Chakwera is neighbor who just sees things outside the door of government.
This is the reason Mutharika and DPP fear a lot Chilima than Chakwera as the latter knows exactly how government system works to win elections.
So, those on the negotiation team let Chilima lead the alliance to save the nation otherwise putting Chakwera on driving seat, the nation will be a country of vengeance.
Chilima is already Malawi Vice President why should he be again the same post when Chakwera has never served any ministerial position?
If Chilima accepts second slot again, thats his political career end.
Let the Holy Spirit guides the negotiations for better Malawi.
What a terrible thought! Nenenji Mlangeni does not know what Chilima represents. Some propaganda like this one is best left in the garbage cans of intellectual discourse.
Chilima with all these excellent credentials as portrayed by the writer, then it goes without a saying that he might as well go solo he will make it. He is just too good and between Chakwera and Chilima who needs the other?
If all of MCP is evil as portrayed in this article, why the alliance? Seems like UTM is day and MCP is Night yet you are advocating an alliance with the devil. Can you also outlne the origins of UTM hierarchy so we can compare with MCP and see how the parties portray nationalism.
And this business of knowing how government runs is bad conditionality. Good example is SKC. You dont need to have been in govt to run for Presidency.