By Suleman Chitera
Blantyre, Malawi – Former President and Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) leader, Professor Arthur Peter Mutharika, has declared that his age and health should not be a barrier to his presidential ambitions, insisting that Malawians will still vote for him even if he campaigns on a wheelchair.
Mutharika, who is seeking a return to State House in the September 16, 2025 elections, told supporters at a political rally that leadership is about vision and experience, not physical strength.
“What Malawians need is a leader with proven capacity, not one with youthful energy but no direction. Even if I were to move on a wheelchair, people will still choose me because of what I have delivered before,” Mutharika said.
The DPP leader, 85, has faced criticism from rivals who argue that his advanced age and frailty make him unfit for another term in office. However, his supporters maintain that his tenure brought stability and development, which they believe he can restore if elected.
Political analysts say Mutharika’s remarks were aimed at countering narratives that portray him as too weak to govern. With the campaign season heating up, the debate over age, health, and leadership is expected to feature prominently in the run-up to the polls.
