OPINION|GUEST ESSAY|Bertrand Banda

Earlier today, my editor asked me if I had followed the issue that President-elect Peter Mutharika had given President Lazarus Chakwera just seven days to vacate the presidential palace after losing the September 16 elections.

I am not a journalist, but I know some people who know things. I told The Media Forum for Effective Governance editor that I needed time to check the facts. What I found is this: for now, the claim remains an allegation, not a verified fact.

The source of the story was Vitumbiko Mumba, Chakwera’s running mate. He alleged that Mutharika had issued the ultimatum, though he admitted he believed the pressure came from Mutharika’s wife, not the president himself. My editor quickly reminded me: without evidence, such claims are little more than political theater.

Which brings me to the real question: why is Mumba speaking at all? Has President Chakwera complained that he feels mistreated? Has his office issued a statement on the matter? If not, why is Mumba, of all people, the one pushing this narrative?

Mumba has a history of positioning himself in the spotlight. Immediately after the elections, he became the spokesperson of the Malawi Congress Party (MCP), often stepping into roles that should have been handled by other senior officials. This earned him visibility, even admiration in some circles, but it also raised eyebrows.

Before the elections, Mumba built a reputation as a fiery defender of workers, He showed up at factories, confronting employers, and demanding fairness. Many Malawians, myself included, respected his bold style. But after the elections, his behavior has shifted. His recent statements about Chakwera’s palace exit feel less like defending the outgoing president and more like stirring the pot to maintain his own relevance.

It’s worth noting that Mumba has also been open about his close relationship with Chakwera’s son, a connection that has only deepened speculation about his motives. Is he speaking as an ally of the party, as Chakwera’s loyal running mate, or as someone building his own profile through his closeness to power?

Let us remember: Malawians didn’t vote out the MCP because of palace drama. They voted against a government that left them unable to afford fertilizer, sugar, maize, and cooking oil. They voted against daily fuel and forex shortages that made survival a nightmare. These were the real issues of the election.

To Mumba and all his supporters: listen and listen very well: trying to distract us from the hard truths that cost MCP the election won’t work. Keep that mind. I wish you well.