By: Chioma Madonna Ndukwu
The Democratic Progressive Party (DPP), Malawi’s main opposition, has officially chosen former President Peter Mutharika, 84, as their candidate for the 2025 presidential election.
Mutharika, who governed Malawi from 2014 to 2020, has promised to address the country’s economic challenges, including sluggish growth and currency shortages. He is set to challenge incumbent President Lazarus Chakwera, who is seeking a second term. Mutharika also aims to form an alliance with the United Transformation Movement, although this partnership has yet to be confirmed.
Mutharika’s previous attempt at re-election in 2020 was unsuccessful, as he lost to Chakwera in a rerun ordered by the court after the annulment of the 2019 election results. Mutharika has since accused the current government of targeting him politically, particularly in connection with a 5-billion kwacha ($6.6 million) cement scandal that led to the freezing of his and his wife’s bank accounts by the Anti-Corruption Bureau in 2020.
Source: Africanews
