Over 30 DPP MPs rally behind Kondwani Nankhumwa
Over 30 Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) members of Parliament (MPs) out of about 60 are rallying behind Leader of Opposition in Parliament and Mulanje Central legislator Kondwani Nankhumwa in the leadership wrangles that have rocked the party since their loss at the ballot during the June 23, 2020 Fresh Presidential Elections.
From our investigations, the picture is clear that an all-out-war on who succeeds former president Peter Mutharika has broken out in the DPP, with Nankhumwa, who is also the party’s vice president (South) and his predecessor, Mulanje South West MP George Chaponda, at the heart of it all.
Interviews with different MPs that we conducted during the week revealed that there are camps in the party, with other top officials behind Nankhumwa while others are convincing former president Mutharika to get rid of him.
One top official, who opted for anonymity, said there are certain seniors in the party who have captured Mutharika and are doing what they want.
Our source further argued that the division in the party is orchestrated by people who want to oust Nankhumwa and other senior officials.
“What we want is to have a clear picture of succession plan in the party. We want to end the practice of hiding running mates and deal away with the situation that happened at Ginnery Corner. Now, as things are, the person who can lead the party in that direction is Nankhumwa.
“The wrangles in the party now are internally created…I can confide in you that the issue of the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) confiscating the party secretary general’s cars, the plot to report the matter to ACB was done internally because she is behind Nankhumwa. They want to oust a lot of people who have potential. The issue of Nankhumwa’s certificates is a non-starter, it is a shame that it has risen now all along he was even a cabinet minister when we were in government,” said our source.
Another source who corroborated with the other source and was available at Golden Peacock last week Friday at Nankhumwa’s purported disciplinary hearing said they will continue to rally behind what they believe will keep the party strong as they are in opposition.
Mulanje Bale MP, Victor Musowa, who is leader of DPP backbenchers, said he supports Nankhumwa’s parliamentary leadership, which is why he is rallying behind him.
“We are behind him because of his quality leadership at Parliament and not any other agenda but his parliamentary leadership,” he said.
DPP’s secretary general Grezelder Jeffrey refused to comment on the matter.
“Comment reserved,” she said.
Efforts to speak to Nankhumwa proved futile as he could not respond to our text messages.
Last week, Nankhumwa was called for a hearing for what the party considers breach of discipline.
A letter signed by DPP disciplinary committee’s secretary Charles Mhango said Nankhumwa undermined the authority of Mutharika, contrary to express instruction of the former president on appointment of Leader of Opposition in Parliament.
The letter also alleged that Nankhumwa and the party’s estranged Secretary- General Grezelder Jeffery conspired to mislead Mutharika that DPP MPs would revolt if Nankhumwa’s ‘self-imposed’ position of Leader of Opposition was not reversed.
However, the disciplinary hearing ended prematurely after Nankhumwa punched holes into the composition of the committee handling the cases.
The DPP has been sailing in troubled waters since the party lost the June 23 fresh presidential election.
Some sections within the party have been calling for an early convention to settle leadership questions within the party.
The calls saw Mutharika attempting to fire Jeffrey as Secretary-General after she publicly declared that the former Head of State had done his part and that the party had to identify a leader to take it to 2025.
DPP had been in power from February 2005 when former President late Bingu wa Mutharika resigned from the United Democratic Front until 2012 after the then embattled vice president Joyce Banda ascended to presidency following the demise of Bingu.
The party bounced back to power in 2014 when younger brother to Bingu, Peter, trounced Banda’s People’s Party.
Come June 23 this year, the younger Mutharika was no match for the Tonse Alliance, whose candidate President Lazarus Chakwera and running mate, Vice President Saulos Chilima, emerged victorious.
Former cabinet minister Mark Botoman, who was also among the MPs that supported Nankhumwa last week, concurred with Musowa saying they are rallying behind Nankhumwa because he is their Leader of Opposition.
“But our appearance there as MPs…we were rallying behind our Leader of Opposition. For us, there is nothing like camps…we were there supporting him as our Leader of Opposition The theory of camps is not coming from us and we are not concerned about camps..for us, we were there because so far he is doing a good job and we appreciate that,” he said.
Speaking on Times Exclusive programme, which airs tonight on Times TV, Nankhumwa said he is aware of the people behind the squabbles in the party but said he will not disclose their names.
“I know the people but I will not mention them. I have not made up my mind on the party’s presidency,” he said.
