People’s Party president Joyce Banda says she endorsed Malawi Congress Party (MCP) leader Lazarus Chakwera because she wanted a mature youth to be Malawi’s next president.
Banda said this on Tuesday at Freedom Park in Karonga where shield a joint rally with Chakwera.
The former Malawi president who is aged 68 withdrew her presidential bid for the May elections and threw her weight behind Chakwera, 64.
She said she chose Chakwera because she thinks young people should be the ones governing the country.
“I decided not contest in the coming elections because I want a mature youth to lead the country.
“People of my age should not be president,” she told the rally.
Banda initially supported Vice President Saulos Chilima (46) but their parties’ alliance fell apart after a few days due to disagreements over the running mate position.
During the Karonga rally, Banda also spoke about government’s threats to arrest her over the cashgate scandal and irregularities in the sale of the presidential jet which occurred during her presidency.
Banda called on the Peter Mutharika administration to provide evidence to support claims that she received K2 billion which looted from the government coffers.
On his part, MCP president Chakwera attacked the Mutharika administration over shoddy construction works, especially on the Karonga-Songwe.
Mutharika launched the rehabilitated 45km road in March but Chakwera noted that the road has already developed 138 potholes.
