The People’s Development Party (PDP) has condemned what it describes as “derogatory and demeaning remarks” recently posted on the official Facebook page of Joram Nyirongo, targeting PDP President Kondwani Nankhumwa.
In the statement released Tuesday and signed by PDP National Publicity Secretary Rhodes Msonkho, the party expressed “great concern and disappointment” over the online attack, stressing that it was not only disrespectful to Nankhumwa but also violated the spirit of civility expected in Malawi’s democratic discourse.
“As a party that values respect, dignity, and peace, we deliberately took time before commenting on the matter-guided by the exemplary patience and peaceful nature of our leader, Dr. Nankhumwa,” reads part of the statement. “We believed that sober reflection would allow for remorse and sincere redress from Dr. Nyirongo.
However, the PDP says it is disheartened by what it sees as a deflection in Nyirongo’s subsequent response. According to the party, Nyirongo attributed the offensive post to a stolen phone and issued a general public apology without specifically addressing or apologising to Nankhumwa, whom PDP describes as the primary victim of the insult.
“This glaring omission, coupled with the timing and manner of the statement, leads us to question the sincerity of his apology,” the PDP said. “It is difficult to reconcile the gravity of the offensive remarks with the half-hearted nature of his response.”
The party is now demanding what it terms an “immediate, direct, and unequivocal apology” from Nyirongo to Nankhumwa, insisting that the issue transcends political protocol and speaks to the moral standards expected in public leadership.
Meanwhile, Nyirongo is yet to issue any further statement addressing PDP’s concerns.
