LILONGWE-(MaraviPost)-Political tension in the opposition Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) continues as some party top gurus have vowed to fully support expelled Kondwani Nankhumwa to continue as the Leader of the Opposition in Malawi Parliament.
The development comes after Speaker of National Assembly Catherine Gotani Hara on Wednesday, February 7, 2024 barred George Chaponda as new Leader of Opposition for business Committee meeting.
Instead Speaker recognised Nankhumwa as opposition leader upon getting legal advise from Attorney General (AG) Thabo Chakaka Nyirenda.
Reliable inside sources confided to us on Wednesday evening that they are not part of the decision to remove Nankhumwa (Mulanje Central) from the position and replace him with George Chaponda (Mulanje South-West).
“We see no reason to replace Nankhumwa yet there is a court order restraining the same.
“We cannot be part of those trying to break the law while we sit in the honorable house that make laws,” laments one of DPP gurus in an interview.
DPP’s top officials laments clearly show how cracks in the party continue to widen ahead of Friday’s opening of 2024/25 Parliament Budget Session, as they emphasize on supporting the age limit bill.
If the rumored bill is tabled and passed, it stands a chance to benefit notable figures within DPP whose ages are less than Peter Mutharika and have shown interest in the party’s Presidency.
In 2022 Nankhumwa took injunction restraining Mutharika from replacing him as Leader of Opposition in Parliament, the injunction that has not been vacated to date.
Nankhumwa fell-out with Peter Mutharika due to intra-party wrangles following the former’s decision to contest as DPP’ President at the Convention yet to be conducted, the decision that made a faction led by Mutharika to axe Nankhumwa and others from the party.
