IF I WERE:Peter Mutharika

President of Malawi and the governing Democratic Progressive Party (DPP), I would realise that my party’s poor showing in the recent by-elections offers food for thought ahead of the 2019 Tripartite Elections.

If I were APM, I would accept the harsh reality that winning just one out of six positions up for grabs confirms my party is losing ground and taking a downward plunge while the opposition Malawi Congress Party (MCP) is getting stronger, especially with the recruitment of Lower Shire Valley political giant Muhammad Sidik Mia.

Oh yes, bwana President,  I would be very worried because this comes just months after a perception survey by Afro-Barometer showed my archrival Lazarus Chakwera is getting stronger. As such, I would accept the painful reality, conduct some soul-searching and go back to the drawing board to address shortfalls in my party and my laidback leadership style.

If I were President APM, I would not be carried away by the jazz from praise singers,  who see no evil and hear no evil, because they are opportunists only interested in kutola khobwe.

If and only if I were Peter! But I am Garry. Chala m’mwamba! Tamvana eti! n