DPP, UDF Pact; Mutharika two options as UDF summons Atupele

Trouble is brewing in the once mighty United Democratic Front (UDF) following the sealing of the electoral alliance deal between UDF President Autupele Muluzi and outgoing Malawi leader Peter Mutharika on Sunday December 30, 2018 at Chikokobay in Mangochi.

UDF leaders and members are gearing up to summon the young Muluzi over the deal.

According to an impeccable source in the rank and file of the party, the membership has set conditions.

“UDF will want its leaders Atupele Muluzi‘s name appear on the ballot as either President or running mate nothing less than this,’’ said the source.

According to the source Mutharika has two options; appoint Atupele second vice president now and then name him an automatic running mate or else forget UDF vote.

In the deal Atupele agreed to be appointed Second Vice President after presenting nomination papers for the May 21, 2019 elections, Five Cabinet Portfolios and Chairpersonship for ten parastatals boards.

This meant Atupele Muluzi’s name will not appear anywhere near the ballot paper since the ballot only shows the president and running mate.

Meanwhile, Mutharika has directed lawyer Samuel Tembenu the current Justice Minister to develop what is said to be legally binding Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to be signed soon by the two leaders.

The source further said should Atupele proceed to sign Tembenu’s document the party will stop at nothing but collect nomination papers and indentify a candidate to represent the party in the tripartite pools.

He argued DPP in general and the Mutharika’s in particular can no longer be trusted in as far as handling vice presidents is concerned.

On the other hand DPP president for the eastern region Bright Nsaka and Mangochi Central Shadow Victoria Kingstone are challenging the pact too.

Nsaka is not happy with the clause that DPP should not contest in the fourteen constituencies that UDF has MPs which include Machinga Likwenu  that he is vying for.

From the word go he has challenged Mutharika that he will not bowed down to this if anything he is ready to contest as an independent.

Reacting to this former president Bakili Muluzi told the outgoing Mutharika to let Nsaka stand and suffer a humiliating defeat.

Nsaka is tipped by the outgoing first lady to be Mutharika’s running mate.

Kingstone who owns a pollard joint Zithere pano has refused overs for a post in in parastatals and foreign mission to contest.

Unlike Nsaka who is ready to go as an independent Kingstone has refused contest as an independent arguing she is a bonafide member of DPP entitled to represent the party as a candidate.

As it is in the pact Mutharika will partner his blue eyed man Kondwani Nankhumwa while Atupele Muluzi will be waiting up to somewhere in May after the polls to be appointed second vice president.