By Samuel Kalimira:
Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) Northern Region governor Christopher Mzomera Ngwira has asked Alliance for Democracy (Aford) president Enock Chihana not to field a candidate in Rumphi Central Constituency during the forthcoming by-elections.
Ngwira said Chihana should do so as a token of appreciation to President Peter Mutharika, who appointed him as State Second Vice President.
He said this at a political rally he conducted at Rumphi Boma on Sunday.
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“If I were Chihana, I would show my appreciation to Mutharika for the appointment as Second Vice President by not featuring any candidate from Aford. If I were Chihana, I would have supported our DPP candidate,” Ngwira said.
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He then said DPP was set to feature a candidate in the constituency.
However, Aford publicity Secretary Annie Amatullah Maluwa described Ngwira’s speech as unfortunate.
Maluwa said Rumphi Central Constituency has had Aford MPs for a long time and that there was no good reason to stop the party from fielding a candidate.
“This is our seat. If Ngwira thinks that that is a better way of campaigning, then he is not right. We respect our State President Peter Mutharika and featuring a candidate in a constituency where it had our MP is not wrong,” Maluwa said.
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Mzuzu University political analyst Chrispin Mphande advised members of DPP and Aford to stick to alliance agreement terms.
“President Mutharika already started respecting terms of the agreement [by appointing Chihana as Second Vice President],” Mphande said.
Others who have expressed interest in competing in Rumphi Central Constituency are Mathews Mtumbuka of UTM, Yagontha Munthali of DPP, Walita Moir Mkandawire and Yeremia Chihana.
Chihana and Moir Mkandawire joined the DPP on Sunday.
Mtumbuka was second to Enock Chihana while Moir Mkandawire was third in the September 16, 2025 Parliamentary Election.
