By Vincent Gunde
The Malawi Congress Party (MCP) says outgoing President Dr. Lazarus Chakwera though not physically present at the inauguration ceremony of Professor Arthur Peter Mutharika as Malawi’s 7th President, has graciously and happily handed over the instruments of power to Professor Mutharika.
The MCP says despite his absence, outgoing President Chakwera has wished Professor Mutharika and his Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) Administration good health and God’s blessings as they take on the responsibility of guiding the beloved nation forward.
The party says all plans were set for outgoing President Dr. Chakwera to participate in the ceremony and travel to Kamuzu Stadium in Blantyre but, at the last minute, a different program was officially released, one which did not include his name in any segment of the proceedings describing this decision by the organizing authorities, as deeply respected.
Writing in a statement dated 4th October, 2025 signed by its National Publicity Secretary Dr. Jessie Kabwila, the MCP says Outgoing President Dr. Lazarus Chakwera has wholeheartedly congratulated Professor Mutharika on his victory and extend its warmest wishes to him as he took the Oath of office at Kamuzu Stadium in Blantyre.
“MCP continue to uphold the values of peace, constitutionalism, and unity, our nation must come together –for we have a country to build, united as one people,” reads the statement in part.
The cables have alleged that some members of the DPP in the inauguration committee did not want Chakwera to attend the function following growing calls from some genuine activists and Malawians that Chakwera was a threat to Professor Mutharika’s inauguration.
There has been a video clip circulating in various media platforms warning DPP security team to beef up their security alleging that Rwandan assassins will wear MDF uniforms on the inauguration and they will be inside MDF soldiers with one agenda to assassinate Professor Mutharika.
Following this alleged video clip, Malawians from all walks of life join calls for Chakwera not to attend the function because these alleged Rwandan assassins will find their way in the security team covering outgoing President Dr. Lazarus Chakwera.
And writing on his face book page, social commentator Onjezani Keneni, says after his investigation, he has found that some people in the Chakwera’s circle phoned the inauguration committee with a plea that people should not boo Chakwera on the inauguration ceremony on the argument that it is painful to see one being booed at such function.
Kenani says the committee responded by saying it is impossible to stop people from booing Chakwera suggesting that it is good to make their choice saying if they are too concerned, they should make one choice, not to come.
The cables have revealed that apart from outgoing President Chakwera being barred from attending Professor Mutharika’s inauguration ceremony, Secretary to the President and Cabinet (SPC) who was the chairperson of the organizing committee, Ms. Colleen Zamba and Inspector General of Police Marylyn Nachulu Yolamu, were also barred.
