In a surprising political twist, Frank Tumpale Mwenefumbo, leader of the National Development Party (NDP), has reversed his earlier decision to withdraw from the upcoming presidential race and is now back in the contest.
Initially, Mwenefumbo had announced that the NDP had entered into an alliance with the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP), a move that saw him stepping down in support of the DPP’s presidential candidate. Under the terms of that agreement, Mwenefumbo was expected to forego his own ambitions and endorse the DPP’s campaign.
He was scheduled to submit his nomination papers last Friday but opted not to, fueling speculation that he had permanently exited the race.
However, in a new development, the Malawi Electoral Commission (MEC) has confirmed that Mwenefumbo will be allowed to submit his nomination papers today. According to a statement released by MEC, the commission received his request to re-enter the race before the close of the nomination period, and it was therefore accepted.
The unexpected reversal has reignited speculation about internal party dynamics and the stability of the NDP-DPP alliance. Political analysts say Mwenefumbo’s return could reshape the electoral landscape as the country heads toward a tightly contested presidential election.
