President Professor Arthur Peter Mutharika has shunned the State Vice President Dr. Saulos Chilima andleft the leadership mantle in the hands of Minister of Finance and Economic Development Goodall Gondwe while he is away.
Mutharika left the country on Wednesday through Kamuzu International Airport for the 20th Summit of the COMESA Heads of State and Government Summit in Zambia.
As per-tradition, Chilima was expected to see off his boss at the Airport but this did not happen due to misunderstandings between the two.
At the airport Goodall Gondwe was seen inspecting the military parade after President Jetted in, an indication that the leadership mantle was in his hands.
The development has attracted mixed reactions with many attacking the President.
One of the concerned citizens wrote Commissioner Shibangy Wasiya wrote: “This is complete rubbish by one rubbish governor in the name of Peter. Dr. Saulosi Chilima is Vice State President by Republican constitution and not by Mutharikas’ wish. APM has his last days to fool himself.”
Concurring with Wasiya’s remarks Winfred Kayange wrote: “DPP has to learn from past mistakes. Bingu did the same with JB. One would expect DPP and Peter Muthalika not to repeat this. 10 months is not short time. Anything can happen.”
On his part Future’e Abubakar Mdeza wrote: “ But after all Chilima is not shaken, and he has more years to come to practice politics and hold some high positions in government, while Goodall Gondwe has less than a year to retire and stop doing active politics!”
When contacted for comment, Minister of Information and Communication Technology Nicholas Dausi said Mutharika is ruling the country electronically.
Meanwhile Mutharika is expected to return home any day from today.
