Suleman Chitera 
Nkhotakota Central MP accuses Richard Chimwendo Banda of political boasting, questions the substance of his rally messages and highlights alleged inconsistencies over Chakwera’s position in MCP.
By Suleman Chitera, MFN Reporter
October 25, 2026
Malawi Congress Party (MCP) Secretary General Richard Chimwendo Banda has come under fire from fellow party member and Nkhotakota Central Member of Parliament Ayuba James, who has described his political speeches as “meaningless” and lacking substance.
James accused Chimwendo of wasting opportunities to explain the party’s political direction and reflect on its record, arguing that his rally messages were dominated by boasting rather than meaningful engagement with the public.
The criticism exposes tensions within the MCP, with James questioning both the content of Chimwendo’s speeches and the confrontational tone he says the secretary general has adopted at political gatherings.
According to James, Chimwendo’s style of addressing supporters could generate hostility if he delivered the same messages in other parts of the country.
He also questioned why Chimwendo’s political rallies were reportedly concentrated around Malirana Turn-off and Chatoloma, suggesting that his approach might not be well received in other areas.
“What is he actually telling the people?”
James argued that the MCP secretary general was missing opportunities to communicate a clear political message at a time when the party could be explaining its position on the country’s affairs and reflecting on lessons from its political experience.
He said the party could use its rallies to engage citizens on substantive issues, but accused Chimwendo of choosing political self-praise instead.
“There are plenty of opportunities the party could use to win people’s support by highlighting the current state of affairs in the country and what the MCP has learned. Instead, what he is doing is simply boasting,” James said.
His remarks raise questions about the message the MCP wants to communicate to the public and whether its political leaders are using rallies to address citizens’ concerns or becoming preoccupied with internal political arguments.
Dowa and Ntchisi remarks spark criticism
James also cited Chimwendo’s reported remarks in Dowa concerning supporters who did not want former president Lazarus Chakwera to leave the party.
According to James, Chimwendo told those who did not want Chakwera to leave the MCP to leave the party themselves.
James claimed the secretary general subsequently adjusted his message during a rally in Ntchisi following criticism of his earlier remarks.
“Yesterday in Dowa, he was telling people to leave if they did not want Chakwera. Verbatim. Everyone heard it. Yesterday in Ntchisi, after receiving backlash from all quarters except a handful of fellow zealots, he changed his position. He said, ‘I said those who want to leave should leave peacefully,’” James said.
The alleged shift has become a central part of James’s criticism, as he questions whether Chimwendo has maintained a consistent message when addressing party supporters.
However, the account of the remarks and the alleged change in position is based on James’s version of events.
MCP faces questions over internal debate
James further accused Chimwendo of assuming that everyone shares his political views, arguing that party members and supporters have different opinions and should be allowed to express them.
He maintained that political disagreements should not automatically be treated as opposition to the party, warning against an approach that appears to leave little room for critical thinking.
His criticism touches on a broader question facing political parties: how to maintain unity while allowing members to challenge statements and decisions made by senior officials.
For the MCP, disagreements over how leaders communicate with supporters could complicate efforts to present a consistent public message.
James said Chimwendo should not be surprised when people question his statements and criticise his conduct as secretary general.
A challenge to political leadership
The criticism from a fellow MCP member gives the dispute added significance, as it demonstrates that questions about Chimwendo’s rhetoric are not coming only from outside the party.
James’s central argument is that political rallies should offer more than declarations of loyalty, personal boasting or demands that dissatisfied members leave.
Instead, he believes the party should use such gatherings to explain its positions, address national concerns and demonstrate that it can accommodate differing views within its ranks.
Whether Chimwendo will respond to the criticism remains unclear.
For now, James’s remarks have placed the MCP secretary general’s rally rhetoric under renewed scrutiny, raising questions about the substance of his messages, the consistency of his statements and the space available for internal disagreement within the party.
Malawi Freedom Network will continue to follow developments within the MCP.
