The decision by President Peter Mutharika to leave his Vice, Saulos Chilima, out of the party top rank is said to be a way to push the former Airtel Malawi Director out of the succession equation while bringing in Atupele Muluzi to his rightful place.
Inside sources within the ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) say it is just a matter of time before Atupele is appointed Second Vice President, the first step before a parliamentary move to give Mutharika powers to fire Chilima before 2017.
“If you see the appointments you will realize that Mutharika has deliberately made sure that the Vice President does not make it into the politburo. Being an adviser is just a ceremonial role without clout. Just wait and see, they will eliminate Chilima using new laws to be effected in Parliament,”
These developments come at the back of Mutharika’s meeting with Atupele’s father, Bakili Muluzi early in the week.
“Bakili has become a shadow adviser and Mutharika is seeking advice from him on party matters to fulfil their earlier agreement of making Atupele the next President of Malawi.
Meanwhile, a section of DPP executive members is planning to fight for Chilima as they believe he should not be denied an opportunity to succeed Mutharika because he helped the party win the May 20 polls.
