Tonse Alliance partner People’s Transformation Party (Petra) president Kamuzu Chibambo has described the recent endorsement of presidential candidates for 2025 as premature.

He said this on Wednesday during a press briefing in Blantyre.

Chibambo’s sentiments come barely a week after some senior Malawi Congress Party (MCP) members endorsed Lazarus Chakwera as their torchbearer in the 2025 general elections.

He said those pursuing such endorsements are advancing their own personal agenda, adding that such tendencies are a manifestation of failure to comprehend alliance dynamics.

Said Chibambo: “We have observed a desperate attempt by few individuals driven by greed and selfishness, who are making wild claims that they could have won the 2020 presidential election on their own.

“Our simple answer is why didn’t they say so then? Now that their bellies are full, they have the audacity of making such insensitive claims. Remember, five years is not long period of time and 50 percent +1 is no mean feat. They should not fool themselves.”

He urged President Chakwera not to be drawn into such hysteria, but to concentrate on governing and addressing the socioeconomic challenges such as high unemployment rate, corruption, foreign exchange drought, shortage of essential drugs and high food prices.

Chibambo added that he has not directly engaged Chakwera, but felt responsible as one of the parties that passionately campaigned under the Tonse Alliance banner.

MCP publicity secretary the Reverend Maurice Munthali last week told The Nation the party had no problems with the sentiments made by some of its members, including first deputy secretary-general Catherine Gotani Hara, who is also Speaker of Parliament.

Munthali said the members were free to express their views, opinions and tastes as provided for in the country’s Constitution.

But the endorsement comes against a background of the existing nine political-party Tonse Alliance, which powered Chakwera to the presidency during the court-sanctioned Fresh Presidential Election on June 23 2020.

Most parties will elect their torchbearers at their conventions next year.

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