Debates for Federalism and secession of the North has flushed out retired veteran politican John Zenus Ungapake Tembo as he was quoted calling the debates “childish”.

Tembo who stands against his former political party, the Malawi Congress Party (MCP), and it’s current leader Lazarus Chakwera who are opting for Federalism and secession of the North.

MCP and the Peoples Party (PP) are pushing for the adoption of federal system of government, with some quarters in the Northern Region, under the leadership of Livingstonia Synod of the C.C.A. P calling for the secession of the region.

Malawi’s founding president Hastings Kamuzu Banda, wanted Malawi to remain one, the philosophy he said he shares in totality, said Tembo speaking to a local radio station.

“I know that not all people in the Northern Region are in favour of federalism and secession, as this is the idea of some people itching to divide the country for their personal benefits,” said Tembo.

Tembo added that there was a time in Malawi’s history where the central region felt sidelined in as far as selection to the country’s secondary school and universities, but the region never made any noise.

He said, instead, people should come together to openly discuss and find solutions to the frustration.

Tembo’s stand comes barely few days after the Roman Catholic Church in Malawi also condemned the calls.