Bakili eyes comeback through son Atupele

…still bitter with DPP

Former President Bakili Muluzi has launched a comeback bid through his son, Atupele Muluzi, who is the current president of United Democratic Front (UDF), sources have disclosed.

The senior Muluzi has intensified his campaign to have Atupele as runningmate to President Peter Mutharika in May’s elections.

“Once Atupele becomes vice president, the senior Muluzi will then bribe some civil society leaders to pile pressure on Mutharika to resign on some trumped up reasons such as old age and maladministration. Once Mutharika is out of equation, Atupele will be made president as per constitutional order, relegating the DPP to opposition benches in the process,” said the source.

According to the source, this would mean the return to power of a Tcheya.

Inside sources said Atupele told his father that he would want to go it alone just like in 2014 saying he has set his sights on the 2024 elections not now.

“Bakili shouted at his son and told him to watch while he play the political game and went to Sanjika last Saturday where he negotiated a deal for his son with President Mutharika,” said the source.

He added that Mutharika is yet to give the senior Muluzi a concrete response as he had to think over it.

The source further indicated that the senior Muluzi was still bitter with Bingu Wa Mutharika and all other former officials who dumped UDF and formed the DPP in 2005.

“In the leaked Muluzi audio clip, he rejected Yunus Mussa on the basis that he dumped UDF. This clearly shows that he was yet to forgive Bingu and all former UDF members who went with Bingu to form DPP. In fact, Muluzi will not rest until he gets his party back and he will do it through Atupele,” said the source.

According to the source, Mutharika and most of his inner-circle members are not comfortable with Atupele as they prefer a true son of DPP to lead them.