Malawi’s political landscape has been rocked by explosive allegations from UTM Secretary General, Patricia Kaliati, who claims that Peter Mutharika, the presidential candidate for the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP), is secretly planning to step down just a month after the September elections. Kaliati suggests that this move would pave the way for Mutharika’s running mate, former Malawi Electoral Commission (MEC) chairperson Jane Ansah, to take over the presidency.
Kaliati’s claims point to the DPP’s rejection of UTM’s request for the running mate position during alliance talks. The DPP’s alleged plan to install Ansah as president, despite her controversial tenure at MEC, is seen as a way to keep the presidency within the party’s inner circle, according to Kaliati. Ansah’s role in the annulled 2019 elections has made her a contentious figure in Malawian politics.
But the intrigue does not stop there. Reports suggest that Mutharika has already promised veteran party leader George Chaponda the Vice-Presidency under an Ansah-led administration. The alleged Ansah–Chaponda ticket has raised concerns within the DPP, with many fearing that such a combination could polarize the party and alienate key regional blocs.
Party insiders have expressed unease, warning that a leadership lineup including Ansah and Chaponda, both seen as divisive figures, could risk alienating voters and fragmenting the DPP. One insider described the plan as “a dangerous gamble” that could destabilize the party and lead to political chaos in the aftermath of the elections.
Meanwhile, President Lazarus Chakwera’s camp has seized on these allegations, contrasting his leadership record of stability and inclusive governance against what they describe as the DPP’s internal power struggles and succession plots.
As the election approaches, Malawians face a stark choice between Chakwera’s steady leadership and a DPP ticket clouded by alleged backroom deals, uncertainty, and questions about its leadership credibility.
