Muluzi killed UDF, Mutharika is killing DPP: The ugly face of dynasty politics

The greatest political regret of  United Democrtaic Front (UDF) founding leader, former president Bakili Muluzi, could be that Atupele – his son – wasn’t over 35 years old  ( the entry age of contesting for president ) in 2004.

Former Malawi president: Mutharika  (r) with  Bakili Muluzi

Muluzi was not ready to let UDF in anybody’s leadership apart from himself. Perhaps—in his push for Open and Third Term bids—Muluzi wanted to keep the party to himself until his son, Atupele, comes of legal age to lead.

That is why, one would assume, when those two bids failed, Muluzi settled for an outsider, Bingu wa Mutharika, as a temporal UDF keeper. Once Atupele ripens, he will take over; Muluzi might have reasoned that way.

That, arguably, is the ugly face of politics of dynasties. UDF had several great leaders in its fold whom Muluzi, despite knowledge of them, despised because he never imagined the party in the hands of a non-Muluzi.

The decision to leave party in Bingu’s hands was grievous; and grievously did Muluzi pay for Bingu, mercilessly, watered down UDF from a ruling party to the opposition benches. UDF never recovered from that!

Interestingly, erstwhile ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP)  appear to be travelling perfectly well in the road UDF took.

Truth be told, Bingu’s political worse during his second term sprung from his desire to keep DPP within the Mutharika family tree.

Hell broke loose when he started going public campaigning for his brother, at the same time, vilifying the legitimate ones that could have taken over from him.

Former president Peter Mutharika must be hailed for resuscitating DPP  from that accidental fall off from power after Bingu’s demise.

But Peter, unlike his brother in 2012, faces a delicate challenge—he doesn’t have another Mutharika to take over. This truth, I know, must be eating Peter off because he knows the party isn’t going to be within the Mutharika family tree again.

But I doubt if Peter, without the realization, has accepted this fact.  I argue so, because,after losing power, Peter is facing succession puzzle —tired and snoring at his retirement home

Peter is old and his health is waning. The right decision he could have taken was leave the party in the hands of some young and gifted DPP leaders in their fold.

But what does Peter do?

He clings to DPP leadership, and even worse, he  has started purging potential successors.

Now, here is what awaits DPP.

There will be a slow death of the party.  There won’t be much from Peter. The party is on destruction path, with factionalism taking root and the centre can not hold.

These are facts for DPP to ignore, especially, their leader, Peter. His quest to keep the party in the dynasty or Lhomwe belt is their hubris.

I wish DPP learn from UDF!

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nafundo zalo
nafundo zalo
4 years ago

what can one expect from ugly faces! ngati a kangombwa tawaoneni

National CEO
National CEO
4 years ago

UDF in an interesting party. It has been going through morphisis. It started as UDF, then DPP, then PP, back to DPP and then UTM. very interesting.

Samuel harry
4 years ago

I think this opinion is right it will down if not carefully handle

Chisale
Chisale
4 years ago

People forget one thing, political parties in Malawi do not have any assets or businesses. They rely on looting from govt coffers and once they are out power, that’s the end of the party. UDF minus Muluzi, PP minus JB, DPP minis APM, the list go on. All these parties were splashing cash like there is no tomorrow.

Moqtada Al Sadir
4 years ago

Devils. UDF plan was that after Bingu, Atupele Muluzi would come in. Instead Bingu broke away from the udf sinister plans. He started DPP and brought the useless man who turned Malawi into Singapore. The old APM ran out of ideas and brought back Atupele Muluzi. This where things started following apart for dpp. Onse afera limodzi. They did not wish Malawi well. Both APM and BM vowed in public that they never allow MCP back. Both are drink mkodzo wawo.

Newstead Zimba
Newstead Zimba
4 years ago

Look at Peter Mutharika, do you think he has any ounce of functioning brain cells left, no and he is a zombie. Peter Mutharika should be kicked out of office immediately, he will not leave willingly. Kick this fool out.

Mpanga Mpanga Jnr
Mpanga Mpanga Jnr
4 years ago
Reply to  Newstead Zimba

Charge Mutharika with the killing of the student at Chancellor College when he was Minister of Education. This old age pensioner asked the army commander to take over after Bingu died. He is not an innocent man.

Jasphet Simvuka
Jasphet Simvuka
4 years ago
Reply to  Newstead Zimba

Francis Mphepo looks sick. He is the evil genius of Bingu’s and APM misrule and theft. Investigate this old mann

Camp Msaka
Camp Msaka
4 years ago

DPP like UDF has run its course

Segwe
Segwe
4 years ago

If you know DPP is dead then why write about it.

We need journalists that can write real issues

Camp Chiponda
Camp Chiponda
4 years ago
Reply to  Segwe

The truth hurts kikikikikikikikkikik, Inu chivomerezeni kuti this is the end of DPP as we know it

Chancy
Chancy
4 years ago
Reply to  Segwe

Kkkkkkk thats why is there’s Journalists read the last sentence brother he says i wish Dpp will learn from UDF it means he is giving advise to dpp to be revived guys don’t just be quick to criticize before thinking just because you are a dpp supporter and spirit of cadetism must go

Gee
Gee
4 years ago
Reply to  Segwe

Koma palinso munthu asakudziwa ku Diphiphi inapima? 😂😂😂🤣

CESSPOOL
CESSPOOL
4 years ago

Hardly a day goes in the watering points without lavishing the last prayers on the family parties that were created in the images of the demigods in the sacred names of Papa Bakili and Baba Bingu. None of these guys had Malawians in their mind. The guys weren’t selfish but their poverty bitten backgrounds influenced their evil spirit of self aggrandisement. They have been self seekers ever since there have been very embarrassing twists in these family vehicles borrowing each other punctured tyres Atupele as DPP running mate. Due to lack of visionary leadership in the family parties we are… Read more »

Keen Observer
Keen Observer
4 years ago
Reply to  CESSPOOL

I wish this comment of yours was the main article. Well articulated. True Boss, I agree with you in totality.

Patriots
Patriots
4 years ago

Greed is toxic and has costed two crooks Presidency now they’re on self distract mode. Our politics has evolved and voters in all demographics are now exposed to issue based information. No more autocratic family politics and the narrative is on reset.

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