Former president Peter Mutharika went to town on President Lazarus Chakwera, claiming he is clueless on how to fix the country’s economy.

The Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) leader said this at a political rally he addressed at St Augustine 3 Primary School ground in Mangochi District on Saturday.

Mutharika (L) greets Nankhumwa at the rally on Saturday

Mutharika said he is aware of the country’s economic turmoil.

He said: “When I left government, the economy was in good shape because the DPP administration brilliantly managed it.

“Today, nothing seems to be working because MCP [Malawi Congress Party] and its leader Lazarus Chakwera are clueless.”

Mutharika bemoaned the country’s rising unemployment, poverty and corruption levels.

He, therefore, called the Tonse Alliance government to a referendum to allow people choose between DPP and MCP.

Mutharika said: “I know Malawians voted the DPP out of power out of ignorance because Tonse Alliance leaders sweet talked to take them to Canaan.

“But like the biblical father who welcomed back his prodigal son after squandering his wealth, I forgive and welcome them back.”

He was booted out of government following the 2020 court-sanctioned presidential election.

In his remarks, DPP Eastern Region Governor Emran Mtenje described the MCP leadership as the worst that has happened in the country.

He said: “Like a dog that eats its baby, MCP came to kill Malawians with corruption, hunger and poverty.

“Poverty is worsening every day. We do not have maize in Admarc depots and cheap fertiliser they promised.”

MCP spokesperson the Reverend Maurice Munthali declined to comment on the matter, saying he speaks for the party not the Tonse Alliance government.

He referred this reporter to Minister of Information and Digitisation Gospel Kazako.

But Kazako, who is also government spokesperson, could not be reached on his phone by press time yesterday.

The Mangochi rally was attended by DPP leader in Parliament Kondwani Nankhumwa, Goodall Gondwe, Joseph Mwanamvekha, Bright Msaka and Charles Mchacha, among other leaders.

The post Mutharika goes to town on Chakwera appeared first on The Nation Online.