By Chisomo Phiri
BLANTYRE-(MaraviPost)-The opposition Democratic Progressive Party ( DPP) Vice President for Northern region Goodall Gondwe has told those who are against the party’s leadership to leave the party and join other political entities.
Gondwe who was the longest Finance Minister during DPP administration, says he hopes that the party will put its divisions behind and get united ahead of 2025 general elections.
He was speaking on Sunday at Edingeni in Mzimba on the sidelines of the ordination of Inkosi ya Makhosi M’mbelwa V into the Men’s Guild and Eldership of the CCAP of Livingstonia Synod.
“I would like the party to come together, and I think we will. Those who do not agree with Peter Mutharika will have to leave the party, That is how things are.
“Not everybody agrees with the leadership, but if you do not agree with the party, then you must go anywhere else . That is what must happen,” said Gondwe.
Gondwe’s sentiments come at a time there have been deep divisions in the former governing party. Disagreements came to light after Secretary General Greselder Jeffrey told the nation in 2020 that Mutharika had done his part and the party needed a new person to lead it into the future.
In October,2020, DPP Vice President for Southern Region Kondwani Nankhumwa, Jeffery, Jappie Mhango, and Mulanje West Legislator Yusuf Nthenda were expelled from the party for allegedly influencing the rejection of APM’s appointment for former Nsanje Central Legislator Francis Kasaila as leader of opposition in the Parliament, to replace Nankhumwa.
Although the four successfully obtained court relief stopping DPP from sacking them from their positions and expelling, there has been bad blood between the Nankhumwa camp and the Mutharika faction. Nankhumwa and Jeffrey refused to be drawn to comment on Goodall’s comment.
Mutharika lost court-ordered June 23, 2020 Fresh Presidential Elections to the nine party-Tonse Alliance led by MCP Presidet Lazarus Chakwera who partnered Mutharika’s political train then estranged Vice President Saulos Chilima of UTM party.
He took over the leadership of DPP after death of his brother Bingu wa Mutharika in April, 2012, propelling the party to victory in the 2014 Tripartite Elections
