By Innocentia Chikuse
Africa-Press – Malawi. Your Excellency, Dr. Lazarus McCarthy Chakwera,
In politics, timing is everything. So is perception. So is coalition-building. And as you prepare to submit your nomination papers, this is not just another election—it is the fight of your political life. I write not to flatter, but to reflect. Not as a bystander, but as one who still believes in the project you lead.
Let me begin with a quiet moment—a symbol, really. At a recent campaign event, as your motorcade inched through the crowds, I stood at the edge. Isolated. Not “mu mtima” of your administration. Underutilised, yes. But not unfaithful. I raised my fist in solidarity. You saw it. You responded. In that fleeting second, a silent covenant was renewed.
That gesture, humble but profound, stirred this position paper back to life—a paper I shelved after the passing of Vice President Saulos Chilima. I had previously suggested Dr. Michael Usi as a fitting successor. Whether by providence or persuasion, that decision aligned with what many of us quietly hoped for.
But now the stakes are higher. And the throne is under siege.
Your government has made visible progress, especially on infrastructure. But the economic pain is real. Inflation bites. The kwacha bleeds. Households buckle under pressure. The opposition smells blood. The DPP, once disgraced, is rebranding as a “safe pair of hands.” Never mind the irony. In politics, perception trumps memory. And perception is shifting.
This is why you must go for a first-round win. A runoff would be a strategic disaster—signaling weakness, reviving the opposition, and draining your campaign’s momentum. A runoff changes the narrative from “Chakwera is leading” to “Chakwera is surviving.” And survival, Sir, is not a message of strength.
With multiple contenders like Joyce Banda, Atupele Muluzi, and Dalitso Kabambe in the race, the vote will splinter. A first-round majority is mathematically improbable—unless you make the bold, strategic choice.
And that brings us to your running mate.
You don’t just need loyalty—you need a battlefield warrior. Someone who electrifies the campaign trail, connects with the youth, and swings the Northern Region your way. Someone who, like SKC, doesn’t just compliment you in Cabinet—but completes you on the campaign frontlines.
You also need to rebuild broken alliances. Don’t ignore JB. Engage Khumbo. Reach out to fringe parties—AFORD, PDP, UDF, Mwenifumbo, even Odya Zake. In a tight race, small allies become kingmakers. Treat them with respect now. You may need them for survival later.
Let’s be blunt. Here are the three names making the rounds—and my verdict on each.
Catherine Gotani Hara
A woman of grace. A symbol of institutional continuity. Her rise as Speaker was your bold call for gender parity in high office. She commands respect, especially in Parliament.
But can she win votes?
Respect is not the same as resonance. The North likes her—but doesn’t rally behind her. She lacks the mobilising machinery to swing a region. Gender representation is noble—but in Malawi’s electoral terrain, symbolism without pull may cost you the throne.
Verdict: Dignified. Loyal. But not a game-changer. A ribbon in a swordfight. Handle with care.
Dr. Michael Usi
Honest. Calm. Intelligent. His elevation after SKC’s passing reflected your trust and his personal integrity. His break from UTM and formation of a new party showed admirable foresight.
But he doesn’t bring votes.
He lost in his own district. His party has no national footprint. He is not a mobiliser, and not a spark plug for undecided voters. His value lies in governance, not the campaign trail.
Verdict: Ethical and effective in office. But electorally invisible. Good for Cabinet, not for combat.
Engineer Vitumbiko Mumba
Here lies your wild card. Young. Energetic. Bold. His message resonates with frustrated youth and disillusioned middle voters. He’s delivered results at Labour and Trade, and speaks a language the street understands. He’s built momentum across regions—even penetrating southern territory.
But insiders fear him. Not because he’s weak—but because he’s strong. Too bold, too honest, too disruptive to the status quo. Yet that’s exactly what Malawians are hungry for.
Yes, he’s raw. Yes, he’s made missteps. But raw power is still power. Mumba brings crowds, credibility, and crucially—the North. A region APM has already antagonised. Mumba could be your bridge and your breakthrough.
Verdict: High risk. Highest reward. A firebrand with cross-regional appeal. The gamble you take when retreat is not an option.
THE BOTTOM LINE
This election will not be won by ticking boxes of technocratic competence. It will be won by reading the political temperature, stirring emotional connection, and making bold moves.
In that spirit, Engineer Vitumbiko Mumba is the candidate who can jolt the campaign with new energy, win over the undecided, and flip regions that are on the fence. He is not the safe choice. But he is the smart one—if winning is the goal.
Your legacy, Sir, will not be measured only by roads built and power plants commissioned—but by your ability to protect what was once earned at great cost: the people’s mandate.
I raise my fist again—not in protest, but in hope. In belief. In strategy. The throne is not guaranteed. But it is still within reach.
Choose wisely.
Innocentia Chikuse
Citizen. Voter. Political Observer.
Exercising my constitutional right to freedom of expression.
Disclaimer: This position paper reflects personal opinion and is not affiliated with any political party or campaign.
Source: Malawi Nyasa Times
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