Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) runningmate Everton Chimulirenji says President Mutharika has not goofed by choosing him as his runningmate in the forthcoming general elections scheduled for May 21, 2019.
Speaking at Ntcheu boma on Sunday when he addressed his first meeting since he was chosen as runningmate, Chimulirenji who is also Minister of Civic Education, Culture and Community Development said his appointment as runningmate only shows how the President trusts him.
“A lot has been said about me but what I can tell you is that the President has made the right choice. This is not the first time that I am representing Malawians. I have represented Malawi before outside the country on several occasions and why not now? His choice to pick me as running mate shows he trusts me,” said Chimulirenji.
He said people of Ntcheu have given him a go ahead to partner with Mutharika saying he was a development conscious leader.
“Even people of Ntcheu want me to work with President Mutharika as his runningmate because they say he is a visionary and development conscious leader. I would like to assure you that we are not losing elections this year because we are a good team,” said Chimulirenji.
The runningmate who is also Ntcheu North East parliamentarian then asked the people of eastern region to give him much support on his new appointment.
President Mutharika announced the appointment of Chimulirenji as his runningmate in the May, 2019 tripartite elections in Blantyre recently during presentation of nomination papers for presidential aspirants to Malawi Electoral Commission (MEC).
Chimulirenji’s appointment attracted mixed reactions from some quarters of the society who said Chimulirenji was not a suitable candidate for the position.
President Mutharika himself has maintained that Chimulirenji is the best candidate for the position whom he said was loyal, trustworthy, hardworking and a performer.
Also speaking during the same rally, Vice President for DPP in the eastern region Bright Msaka said the rally was meant to endorse Chimulirenji as the party’s runningmate and drum up their support towards him.
“This is a day for celebration as you can see that we celebrated his appointment as runningmate and we are certain that he is our next vice president come May 2019. He is just the right candidate and we are ready to support him in any way as eastern region.
Msaka also disputed rumours circulating on social media and other platforms that there are disagreements in the party following the appointment of Chimulirenji as running mate saying the presence of party supporters from all regions at the rally shows that they are happy with his appointment.
“What people are saying is not true. There is nothing like divisions in the party that is why all the regions are here. DPP is united and will fight as one during elections. There were heavy rains here but people stayed to show solidarity that we are with him,” said Msaka.
The eastern region Veep described Professor Mutharika and Chimulirenji as a sellable pair which he said is a product that cannot easily be defeated by anybody.
Speaking earlier, Senior Chief Kwataine thanked president Mutharika for choosing a running mate from Ntcheu.
The meeting was attended by party officials from all regions of country, cabinet ministers, chiefs and party supporters.
Story By: Grace Kapatuka
