By Burnett Munthali
In an exclusive interview with 247 Malawi, Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) spokesperson Honourable Shadric Namalomba has firmly refuted circulating media reports and a widely shared letter claiming that former President Arthur Peter Mutharika (APM) has withdrawn from the 2025 presidential race.
Namalomba described the letter, which bears his name and signature, as “fake,” emphasizing that APM remains the DPP’s torchbearer heading into the highly anticipated September 16, 2025 general elections.
His rebuttal comes amid confusion stirred by a document dated June 21, 2025, purportedly signed by Namalomba, which went viral across social media platforms and was reported by several outlets, including 247 Malawi itself.
The letter claims that due to advanced age and mounting internal pressure, Mutharika had decided to bow out of the race, paving the way for former Reserve Bank Governor Dr. Dalitso Kabambe to lead the party.
It further states that the party is shifting its focus to Kabambe as a “unifying figure” with the capacity to galvanize opposition support and present a credible challenge to the incumbent President Lazarus Chakwera.
The document cites Mutharika’s declining health and a recent video of him appearing frail upon returning from South Africa as the main reasons for his alleged withdrawal.
However, in his interview with 247 Malawi, Namalomba flatly denied ever issuing or authorizing such a letter.
He stressed that APM is still in the race, enjoys full support from the DPP leadership, and is ready to contest and win the upcoming presidential election.
“This is political sabotage at its worst. The letter is fake. It does not reflect the official position of the party or that of the former president,” Namalomba said.
He added that the circulation of such a document is an attempt by rival factions within or outside the party to cause confusion and weaken the DPP’s campaign momentum.
Political analysts are now divided, with some suggesting the letter may have been leaked from within the party as part of an internal power struggle, while others believe it to be a calculated disinformation campaign aimed at discrediting Mutharika and boosting Kabambe’s profile.
This is not the first time rumours have swirled regarding Mutharika’s potential withdrawal.
Over the past year, repeated speculation has surfaced—fueled by his age, his absence from public events, and factional calls within the party for generational change.
Yet, Mutharika’s inner circle, including Namalomba and other senior officials, has consistently maintained that he remains fit, focused, and determined to run.
Kabambe, who previously defected from the DPP to pursue his political ambitions independently, has recently realigned himself with the party and is seen by some as a rising force within its ranks.
His supporters argue that he represents the kind of youthful, technocratic leadership that Malawi needs.
Nevertheless, until there is a formal announcement from the DPP National Governing Council or Mutharika himself, the battle over who will lead the party into the 2025 elections remains unresolved.
For now, Namalomba insists: “APM is standing. The DPP is united behind him. The rest is just noise.”
As political temperatures rise in Malawi, all eyes will be on the DPP’s next official announcement, which could either settle the matter or deepen the party’s internal rifts further.