Opposition Malawi Congress Party (MCP) has given President Professor Arthur Peter Muthariaka a five-day ultimatum to release the names of delegates that accompanied him to the United Nation General Assembly (UNGA) and the names of organisations that sponsored them.

MCP Spokesperson Jessie Kabwila sounded the warning on Saturday during a press conference held at the Party’s headquarters in Lilongwe.

In her speech, Kabwila said the party will not apologise because it has done nothing wrong.

“MCP cannot apologise and will continue to criticise Mutharika’s government whenever it performs badly. President Mutharika is the one who should apologise for abusing taxpayers’ money by taking a bloated entourage to UNGA. We know that even a chief that once criticised MCP accompanied the President. What was the chief doing at UNGA?” said Kabwila.

Reacting to the call, Presidential Press Officer Gerald Viola said described MCP’s demands as “laughable”, saying the Party wants to disturb Mutharika for political reasons.

“This is laughable. MCP is just doing this out of frustration. The party always says DPP [Democratic Progressive Party] rigged the vote hence no wonder they always criticise Mutharika’s government even when it does nothing wrong,” said Viola.

Viola asked MCP to sort out leadership crisis rocking the Party first before criticizing Mutharika.

“MCP has leadership crisis as three people are eying for the presidency. Therefore, let the party solve that leadership problem instead of disturbing Mutharika’s leadership,” said Viola.

Meanwhile Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) in the country are planning to hold countrywide demonstrations to force Mutharika to release the names of delegates.