OPINION | GUEST ESSAY | Bertrand Banda

I don’t know anyone of sound mind who would argue that Enoch Chihana didn’t play a crucial role in helping the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) secure its big win in the September 16 elections. His political gamble, that is aligning the Alliance for Democracy (AFORD) with Peter Mutharika’s DPP, paid off handsomely, earning him the title of Second Vice President.

But let’s rewind a bit. When Chihana made that deal, his own party member, Timothy Mtambo, went ballistic. Mtambo, once a fierce critic of DPP’s governance during the 2014–2019 period, couldn’t stomach the idea of working with the same party he had long opposed. He publicly vowed never to side with the DPP, choosing instead to focus his efforts on supporting AFORD candidates in the general elections.

Fast forward to today. Chihana is thumping his chest, and fair enough, he did get what he wanted. But in doing so, he’s ventured into tricky territory. He’s been making statements suggesting he is the Vice President, not the Second Vice President, and that he is not subordinate to Vice President Jane Ansah.

With all due respect, Mr. Chihana, that’s a dangerous narrative to entertain. You were not on the ballot, Jane Ansah was. When Malawians cast their votes, they voted for the Mutharika–Ansah ticket, not for the Mutharika–Chihana partnership. Your appointment, while legitimate and significant, came as a product of political negotiation, not direct popular mandate.

President Mutharika, to his credit, honored the coalition agreement with grace. He instructed DPP members to treat you with the respect befitting your position, a move that reflects his commitment to unity. It’s also worth noting that this is the first time in over two decades that the office of Second Vice President has been filled, and it’s poetic that the last person to hold it was your father, Chakufwa Chihana.

That legacy is heavy. You’d make your father proud by focusing on the work at hand, especially in championing the development of the Northern Region, where AFORD’s roots run deep. The North has long felt sidelined in national development, and your appointment gives it a rare chance at meaningful representation.

But remember: by declaring yourself “the Vice President,” you’ve inadvertently raised expectations and the pressure will be great. If things go wrong, you won’t have the luxury of hiding behind your title as Second Vice President. So, tread carefully. The relationship between presidents and their deputies in Malawi has rarely been smooth. For once, many of us would like to see that dynamic work differently with cooperation, not competition.

Enoch Chihana today stands where his father once stood, close to power, but not at its summit. What matters most is not the title, but the substance. He can talk to the president directly and an opportunity to bring tangible benefits to his region and the nation at large. That’s where his focus ought to be.

So yes, Mr. Chihana, ambition is healthy. But for now, slow your roll. And anyone who can help convey this message to the Honourable Second Vice President of the Republic of Malawi will have my personal gratitude.