Church leaders are plotting to overthrow me – Mutharika

President Peter Mutharika says some church leaders are working with his enemies in a plot to overthrow him.

The president made the remarks during Presidential Prayer Breakfast at Kamuzu Palace on Thursday.

“I know there are church leaders who sit in council with my enemies plotting to overthrow me. But I say to them “Come, let us reason together” for we are all the children of one God,” Mutharika said.

He added that there are political leaders who consider him to be their enemy but he has always treated them well because he is not a person of vengeance.

He gave an example of former President Joyce Banda under whose administration Mutharika was arrested. Banda also refused to officially hand over power to Mutharika after the 2014 elections.

Mutharika also mentioned the case of Vice President Saulos Chilima who dumped the ruling Democratic Progressive Party and is contesting in the May 21 presidential elections.

“You all have seen people insulting me, creating false evidence against me, praying for my death in public. But I have stayed focused on developing this country because I am not a vindictive President.

“And I know there are people who spend sleepless nights, wondering what I will do to them when they lose the Election. And I say to them, of course you will lose this Election. But I say I am not a vindictive President. I am not a President of vengeance. For “vengeance is mine”, so says the Lord God,” Mutharika said.

The Malawi leader then called on politicians to campaign peacefully by focusing on policies and issues that will build this country.

The prayer breakfast organised by Pentecostal churches was held days after national prayers organised by Public Affairs Committee.

Mutharika did not attend the PAC prayers but other presidential aspirants – Lazarus Chakwera, Peter Kuwani, Saulos Chilima, Hadwick Kaliya, Atupele Muluzi and John Chisi – showed up.