By Burnett Munthali
Former Member of Parliament, Honorable Allan Ngumuya, has strongly distanced himself from the ongoing internal conflicts within the Malawi Congress Party (MCP).
Ngumuya has stated, in no uncertain terms, that he does not want his name associated with the party’s struggles.
He has been quoted as saying, “Let the stupid MCP fight their own useless battle and not drag my name into it.”
Ngumuya, a strong critic of the current government, has made it clear that his primary political objective is to see President Lazarus Chakwera and the MCP removed from power on September 16.
Meanwhile, UTM senior member Kenneth Bwanali has assured party supporters that the controversial Age Limit Bill will be reintroduced in Parliament.
This assurance follows growing calls within UTM to bring back the bill, which seeks to introduce an upper age limit for presidential candidates in Malawi.
The bill is widely perceived as a direct attempt to block former President Professor Arthur Peter Mutharika from contesting in the upcoming elections.
Mutharika, who served as Malawi’s President from 2014 to 2020, has expressed his intention to run again, a move that has ignited heated political debate.
Proponents of the Age Limit Bill argue that leadership should be left to younger, more dynamic politicians capable of addressing Malawi’s long-term governance challenges.
They believe that introducing an age restriction would ensure a generational transition in leadership and prevent the recycling of former presidents.
Supporters of the bill also argue that older leaders may struggle to adapt to modern governance challenges, making it necessary to allow younger politicians to take charge.
However, Mutharika’s supporters see the bill as a deliberate effort to target him politically, describing it as an attack on democracy.
They argue that the bill is an unfair maneuver aimed at eliminating a popular candidate instead of allowing voters to decide through the ballot.
According to them, UTM and its allies fear Mutharika’s potential comeback and are resorting to legal tactics to prevent him from running.
The Age Limit Bill was previously presented in Parliament but failed to pass, frustrating those advocating for leadership reforms.
Bwanali’s recent statement serves as a reassurance that UTM remains committed to pushing for the bill’s reintroduction and eventual approval.
As the country moves closer to September 16, Malawi’s political landscape is expected to become even more heated.
Both supporters and opponents of the bill are set to intensify their campaigns, making it one of the most divisive political topics of the year.
If reintroduced and passed, the bill would significantly alter the 2025 presidential race by barring Mutharika from contesting.
This could force the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) to field a new presidential candidate, reshaping the political dynamics ahead of the elections.
On the other hand, if the bill fails again, Mutharika will remain eligible to contest, setting up a highly competitive election against the ruling MCP and its allies.
The upcoming parliamentary sessions will be crucial in determining not only the fate of the Age Limit Bill but also the broader direction of Malawi’s democracy.
Regardless of the outcome, the bill has already exposed deep political divisions, with both sides presenting compelling arguments.
For UTM and its supporters, passing the bill would be a major victory, reinforcing their stance on leadership reforms.
For Mutharika and the DPP, however, the bill represents an unjust attempt to manipulate the democratic process and sideline a strong political contender.
As Malawians closely watch the developments, the battle over the Age Limit Bill is set to be one of the most defining political conflicts leading up to the 2025 elections.
