DPP convention: Ex-Ministers to battle for key positions

…. others claim elections not to be fair

The main opposition party, the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP), is set for its elective conference and, with it, an intensive rivalry that will pit mainly former government officials against each other. Two posts, Vice Presidents for Southern and Central Region and Secretary General, are being hotly contested.

While the DPP’s bitter rival, Malawi Congress Party (MCP), will decide on its 2025 campaign team next week from the 8th to the 12th, the former ruling party will elect its frontline from the 18th- setting the stage for the campaign period.

The DPP, which conducted an internal reforms exercise, is expected to adopt a new constitution at the elective conference but will elect its officials based on the old constitution. This will come in the background of having lost two of its members—Kondwani Nankhumwa, who formed the Peoples Development Party (PDP), and former party presidential candidate Dalitso Kabambe.

The posts for regional vice presidents—for the South and for Central—seem to be hotly contested positions, causing concerns, accusations, and claims of potential rigging by incumbent post holders.

Incumbent vice president (South) George Chaponda, who is Chairperson for the convention, is set to defend his position against former Finance Minister Joseph Mwanamvenkha, who seems to have gained popular appeal within the party ranks.

For the Centre, an intense battle is between two businessmen—Alfred Gangata, who assumed the post after his predecessor Zeria Chakale defected to MCP, and Paul Gadama, who once aspired to become party leader.

So far, Dr Chaponda and Gangata are said to be in one camp, which includes incumbent Secretary General Dr Clement Mwale and National Organising Secretary Chimwemwe Chipungu. Others are said to be Blantyre MP Chipiliro Mpinganjira, who is aspiring to replace Charles Mhango as Director of Legal Affairs.

The alternative leadership structure has Mwanamvenkha for Veep South, Gadama as vice president for the centre, and Peter Mukhito as former Inspector General and Director General of State Residence for Secretary General.

Only Jappie Mhango, vice president for the North, has no competitor and is likely to go unopposed if no one submits papers for the same position.

The other non-aligned candidates include Jean Namathanga (Director of Elections), Dr. Ben Phiri (Political Affairs), and Dr. Jimmy Mpunga (Social Services).

The party denies any rift, calling the process a democratic affair that will be settled through an open ballot.

However, some aspirants have accused the organisers of trying to influence the outcome, claiming some positions are being pushed to specific individuals.

“They had a meeting at Chitipi, and Regional Governors were given lists to support during the convention. That makes it scary if the process will be fair. We are raising this today so nobody challenges the outcomes of the convention,” said another aspirant.

A supporter of Gadama claimed he was being thrown mud by old-timers in the party deliberately trying to sabotage his chances, charging that he had met many delegates and would win during the party convention.

His rival supporters of Gangata said Gadama was creating stories afraid of the youthful veep as he was set to win during the convention.

Polling has consistently shown the DPP to lead with 38%, followed by huge undecided voters around 24% and MCP, with President Lazarus Chakwera polling around 15% to 18%. The rural vote share for the President has been reduced to only 11%. The late Dr. Saulos Chilima, before his death, was polling around 20% of those registered to vote.

The DPP, however, lacks a 50% +1 vote to claim the government, and with Chilima’s death, a scramble is underway for his 20% vote share to back either the party or its rival MCP. The Investigator Magazine polls will be released soon after the DPP convention and another after the UTM convention slated for October 2024.