MUTHARIKA UNDER HEAVY CRITICISM FOR POLITICIZING INDEPENDENCE DAY

Political analysts and party leaders have accused President Peter Mutharika for politicising the 51st Independence Day celebration there by spoiling the whole event and not saving the intended purpose of uniting the nation.

The political commentators question the dominance of DPP colour and flags and also the absence of other opposition parties at the event parties.

Speaking to one of the media houses, Political researcher and analyst, Humprey Mvula accused President Mutharika for the politicization of Independence Day as his party claimed it more of a DPP rally than a national event which should be commemorated by every Malawian.

“It is wrong. If in the past any ruling party did it, we cannot correct a wrong with another wrong,” Mvula said on Capital FM Daybreak Malawi programme.

Mvula said that he was deeply concerned with the way in which DPP abused the national event and used it for political aggrandizement.

And the former ruling People’s Party (PP) said government did not invite them and former president Joyce Banda to the celebrations, saying DPP displayed undemocratic tendencies.

Ken Msonda, spokesperson of PP said the party was ready to attend the event if they were invited.

“PP is dismayed and disappointment with the ruling party’s undemocratic tendencies for not inviting us to this year’s 51 years celebration prayers and events at Kamuzu Stadium,” said Msonda.

“We were ready to attend had it been we were invited, the party had planned to delegate Vice President Uladi Mussa MP, Secretary General Ibrahim Matola and Publicity Secretary Ken Msonda to represent it,” reads a media statement from PP.

Msonda further described President Mutharika as clueless and that he does not respect democratic principles of governance.

“DPP will never change; the leadership is clueless on how to govern in a democratic set-up t does not respect democratic values and principles,” said Msonda

DPP spokesman and Minister of Transport, Francis Kasaila said there was nothing wrong for the party to display its memorabilia and flags because they were “elected ruling party.”

“When people go to vote, they elect a party to be in government and DPP are the governing party. Nothing wrong with that,” said Kusaila.

Meanwhile, the invitation which Minister of Information Kondwani Nankhumwa claimed was sent to former president Banda was never sent but rather it was a publicity stunt.

Banda;s Personal Aide, AndekucheChanthunya said they did not receive the invitation.