Senior Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) gurus on Sunday took turns during their rally at Katoto Ground in Mzuzu calling for unity and respect for the party’s leader Peter Mutharika.
Led by the party’s vice-president (North) Goodall Gondwe, they admitted cracks in the party but said all was being done to ensure that the party heads to the 2025 general elections as a unified block.
He said: “The divisions are not that serious, if you ask me. We have previously seen parties that have had serious divisions. We are doing everything possible to ensure that we get united.
“Even Kondwani Nankhumwa, our vice-president [South] said during a recent meeting in Lilongwe that he is behind Mutharika. So, don’t worry, we will get united. We have one leader and that is Mutharika. We must all respect him.”
One of the party’s presidential aspirants Dalitso Kabambe said the DPP was in a self-reflection mode, gearing up to get better and stronger ahead of the 2025 elections.
“After getting out of government in 2012, the DPP regrouped and became a strong force. That is why it won the polls in 2014,” he said.
The party’s regional governor (North) Ackim Mwanza warned that those opposing Mutharika will not be welcomed in the region.
In an earlier interview, University of Malawi associate professor of political science Boniface Dulani said it was unfortunate that instead of uniting to provide checks and balances to the Tonse government, the party appears intent on self-destruction.
“What is required, ahead of the convention, is for the party leaders to sit together and work at seeking to resolve these differences amicably and commit to democratic practices,” he said.
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