Former Speaker of the National Assembly Henry Chimunthu Banda on Thursday shunned President Professor Arthur Peter Mutharika’s rally in Nkhotakota.

On Wednesday, the Office of the President and Cabinet released a statement indicating that Chimunthu Banda is rejoining the ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) and Mutharika officially welcome him into the party.

But to the surprise of many, Chimunthu Banda did not show up for the rally at Nkhotakota.

Chimunthu Banda retired from frontline politics in 2013 after losing a presidential race during party convention held at Comesa Hall in the commercial capital Blantyre.

According to information at hand, President Mutharika has recalled Chimunthu Banda into the party and is earmarked for a post of runningmate in the forthcoming polls.

Mutharika is currently spending a sleepless night due to pressure from Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) who are pushing for his resignation over his involvement in the police food ration deal where maoney amounting to MK145 million was deposited into his account.