Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) Secretary General Greselder Jeffrey has quashed rumours hoveriong on the social media claiming that the party is divided over the appointment of Everton Chimulirenji as President Professor Arthur Peter Mutharika’s runningmate, saying it’s untrue.

President Mutharika unveiled Chimulirenji as his runningmate during the official presentation of nomination papers to the Malawi Electoral Commission (MEC) at Comesa Hall in the commercial capital Blantyre.

The appointment of Chimulirenji left many Malawians speechless including some DPP top officials raising fears that Mutharika’s decision may divide the party.

But speaking in Ntcheu on Sunday where Chimulirenji addressed his first meeting since he was chosen as running mate, Jeffrey wa Jeffrey quashed the claims.

Jeffrey wa Jeffrey accused the opposition of being behind the false rumours.

“Opposition parties spreading lies that Democractic Progressive Party (DPP) officials are not happy with Everton Chimulirenji’s choice as party presidential candidate. We are happy. And we, as DPP, have never lost an election and are here to stay.

“People took pictures of party officials in the midst of a prayer at Comesa Hall, and then depicted them, on social media, as being unhappy. That is not true. Everyone was happy,” she said while attracting ululations from the public.

On his part Minister of Information and Communications Technology Henry Mussa took time defending Chimulirenji’s new security detail.

“It is the ideal situation to beef up security for Democratic Progressive Party presidential running mate Everton Chimulirenji.It is a normal situation. It happened when Bakili Muluzi chose Justin Maleweizi;when Bingu wa Mutharika chose Cassim Chilumpha; when Joyce Banda chose Sosten Gwengwe; and now, when President Peter Mutharika has chosen Everton Chimulirenji as running mate,” said Mussa.

Meanwhile Chimulirenji has pledged total support to Mutharika in the forthcoming May 21 tripartite election.