There is growing pressure on Arthur Peter Mutharika, president of the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP), to reassign the party’s Secretary General, Peter Mukhitho, to an advisory role.
Mukhitho’s political blunder during a rally in Mzuzu, where he mistakenly referred to Mutharika as the Malawi Congress Party (MCP) presidential candidate for the 2025 elections, has sent shockwaves through the DPP ranks.
The incident has drawn sharp criticism, with many calling for swift disciplinary action.
Mukhitho’s remarks were not just a slip of the tongue. They exposed a deeper crisis within the DPP—a party struggling to redefine itself in the face of internal divisions and waning popularity.
His gaffe, which comes at a time when the party is trying to regroup and reassert its relevance ahead of the 2025 elections, has reignited discussions about whether he is fit to continue as Secretary General.
Many DPP supporters and political commentators are drawing parallels between Mukhitho’s case and that of Gladys Ganda, the party’s former Director of Elections.
Ganda, who was initially elected to her position during the DPP’s national elective convention, was later reassigned to an advisory role following her controversial remarks when President Lazarus Chakwera visited her constituency.
The argument being made is that if Ganda was removed from her position for what was seen as a minor offense, Mukhitho’s error should surely warrant a more serious response.
After all, referring to the leader of your party as the candidate of a rival political outfit is not only a public relations nightmare but also a glaring political misstep.
Mukhitho, a former bodyguard to Bingu wa Mutharika and Director of State Residences, is not new to the political scene, which makes his mistake all the more baffling.
Commentators argue that this is more than just a simple gaffe. It reflects a growing disconnect between the DPP leadership and its base.
Mutharika, as the leader of the DPP, faces a critical decision. Should he act swiftly and decisively to reassign Mukhitho to an advisory role, as many are demanding or should he give him the benefit of the doubt, risking further divisions within the party?
The latter course of action would undoubtedly send the wrong message to DPP supporters, who are already frustrated with the party’s lack of direction. Moreover, Mukhitho’s error has the potential to alienate the very supporters the DPP is trying to win over ahead of the 2025 elections.
The case of Ganda sets a precedent that Mutharika cannot ignore. Reassigning Mukhitho to an advisory role, just as Ganda was, would send a clear message that the DPP does not tolerate mistakes of this magnitude from its top leadership.
Ultimately, Mukhitho’s fate lies in Mutharika’s hands and anything less could spell disaster for the DPP’s future.
0 Comments