Chilima breaks silence on runningmate ahead of May 21 polls

United Transformation Movement (UTM) President Saulos Chilima who is also State Vice President has come out of his cocoon to disclose that he will be naming his runningmate ahead of the forthcoming polls in the next few days to come.

Chilima made the remarks during a media briefing held at Bingu International Convention Centre (BICC) in the capital Lilongwe on Wednesday.

“I wish to announce that in the next few days, I shall name the next Vice-President of the Republic of Malawi. That is the person who shall be my running mate at the May elections,” said Chilima.

Chilima is expected to present nomination papers on February 6, 2019 to the Malawi Electoral Commission (MEC) at Comesa Hall in Blantyre, according to a statement issued by MEC Chief Elections Officer released on Wednesday made available to faceofmalawi.

According to the statement, Chilima has been given 2 hours from 9am to 11 am.

Several names have been emerging including that of Newton Kambala, Michael Usi, Agness Nyalonje, Member of Parliament for Mzimba North and Speaker of the National Assembly Richard Msowoya.

Meanwhile others are saying Chilima will pick an outsider.