Is this falling or rising of Kondwani Nankhumwa

Have you wondered why of all Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) presidential aspirants, it is only Kondwani Nankhumwa who is trying all his efforts to outsmart the party president, Peter Mutharika? Where does he get this audacity? To answer these questions, we need to understand his political background, controversies and aspirations.

The rise of Kondwani Nankhumwa

1. From the humble beginning of a journalist, Kondwani Nankhumwa was first recognised by the founder of DPP, Professor Bingu Mutharika who entrusted him with the position of a deputy minister of foreign affairs. Is this the reason Kondwani shows more allegiance to Bingu than to Peter. I surmise it is mere rudeness and insubordination.
2. Even Peter Mutharika also entrusted him with ministerial positions of local government and agriculture. He was even appointed the Vice President of Southern region of DPP. There were even times when he was delegated to lead the nation in the absence of Prof. Peter Mutharika. All these positions gave Kondwani hopes of being the successor to Peter Mutharika.

Controversies

Kondwani Nankhumwa is not spared with controversies.

1. He has never successfully refuted allegations that he used a primary school certificate of education of a deceased relative. Instead, Malawians are still wondering why on his certificate one would have four unique names that can be further dissected in two personalities, ‘Kondwani George Malemia Nankhumwa’.
2. Malawians are concerned with his fake PhD which he obtained from a diploma mill.
3. Nankhumwa became an overnight millionaire during the DPP regime. He splashed over 23 million kwacha for football tournament and bicycle donation in his constituency. He was also embroiled in military procurement scandal when he was a minister of local government.
4. DPP gurus fail to understand the motive of Nankhumwa of paying a visit to Cecilia Tamanda Kadzamira, a staunch political diehard.
5. According to Africa Confidential tabloid, MCP diehards claim that Chilima is already lining up the Vice-President of the DPP Nankhumwa to be his running mate in his bid to become president in 2025. Some quarters have connected the dots that it was Nankhumwa as one of the people whom Dr. Saulos Chilima referred to when he said there were DPP gurus who were financially supporting his UTM movement during the run-up to the 2019 general elections.
6. As a leader of opposition, Nankhumwa allowed a private bill of authorising fresh presidential elections to be tabled on Tuesday and not on Thursday as is the norm in parliament. This move is taken as a betrayal to the DPP party.
7. Nankhumwa was among the ‘Mid night six DPP gurus’ who were later charged with treason for plotting a coup to prevent former president Dr. Joyce Banda from ascending to power.
8. Nankhumwa was once relieved of his position of leader of opposition, DPP vice president of the southern region and even membership of DPP. He survived against this excommunication after obtaining an injunction from the court.
9. In his open defiance, Nankhumwa chose to depict the portrait of Bingu Mutharika in his rallies instead of the sitting president , Prof. Peter Mutharika. This did not go down well with Peter Mutharika.
10. To show his prowess again, Nankhumwa has announced his shadow cabinet without consulting the leadership of DPP and United Democratic Front.

The way forward

1. Prof. Peter Mutharika is the legitimate president of DPP. He was elected at an elective convention and has the mandate to hold that position till 2023. It is out of his will and conviction to resign or call for an early convention. This can’t be forced on him according to the DPP constitution.
2. Malawi is a liberal nation as it allows the creation of both private and liberal political parties. From the look of things, DPP, UDF, PP, and AFORD are family political parties whose succession plan hinges on relationship to the founder of the party. Kondwani Nankhumwa accepted this when Professor Bingu Mutharika handpicked his brother as his successor. It is now the legacy of the sitting president to nominate his successor. It shouldn’t be painful to Kondwani Nankhumwa now just because he is the one being affected now. Even Hon. Henry Chimunthu Banda failed the same pain. It is time for Kondwani Nankhumwa to face the music.
3. It must be noted that injunctions are temporary reliefs as they don’t resolve any misunderstandings. Contact and dialogue must be the point of departure of resolving differences. Arbitration is another avenue for conflict resolution. Litigation is not the best means to resolve intra-party squabbles.
4. Malawi Congress Party, the major competitor to DPP, will be happy with Kondwani Nankhumwa as a torchbearer of DPP as he is deemed to be the weakest link. Much as he is popular within the party, Kondwani Nankhumwa falls short of the acumen to compete successfully against Reverend Dr Lazarus Chakwera who has credible academic qualifications.
5. We therefore advise Nankhumwa to slow down his antics till all intra-party differences are resolved and the campaign period for DPP presidency is open.

When elephants are fighting, it is the grass that suffers. Malawians are looking forward to a strong opposition that will speak for the poor and the voiceless.

Feedback send Rick Dzida, email: rdzida@gmx.com

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