As battle for leadership in the opposition Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) is getting tense, the party has revealed that the immediate past President Professor Arthur Peter Mutharika will not return to front-line politics any longer.

DPP secretary general Grezelder Jeffrey disclosed this in an interview with one of the local daily papers in the country, saying Mutharika has done his part and its time for him to retire.

According to Jeffrey, the party will soon call for a convention to elect new leader for the party to replace Mutharika.

“Whether we like it or not, a convention is important and we will hold it as a party. But we will not do it today or tomorrow. When the time comes, we will let you know.

“The party now needs to meet and discuss the matter. Professor Mutharika has done his part and he will not contest again in future. He is retiring and we need to choose a new leader,” said Jeffrey.

Recently one of the DPP top officials Ken Msonda asked the party to let Mutharika retire if the party is to bounce back in the forthcoming 2025 Presidential polls.

The calls were backed by DPP regional governor for the North Christopher Mzomera Ngwira who said some sections of the party were calling for Mutharika’s replacement to start rebuilding the party after its loss.

Mutharika was booted out of power by Dr. Lazarus Chakwera of Tonse Alliance in the fresh polls held on June 23, 2020.