Malawi Congress Party (MCP) second Vice President Harry Mkandawire has come under fire for endorsing President Dr. Lazarus Chakwera as the party’s torchbearer in the 2025 general election.

On Sunday, Mkandawire said Chakwera would be the party’s presidential candidate; stressing that there was nothing new about that.

He hinted the proposal was agreed during the party’s NEC meeting held two weeks ago.

Mkandawire’s remarks have attracted a backlash from some top officials in MCP who are demanding an apology.

Speaking in an interview with the press Alex Major, spokesperson of MCP’s concerned members said all the National Executive Committee (NEC )members’ mandate is until May 2023.

“It is very immature and unreasonable to start talking about 2025 elections and as members we don’t subscribe to that. Mandate of all NEC members end next year May and therefore no one including Honourable Mkandawire has the prerogative to endorse a presidential candidate because even him (Mkandawire) doesn’t know his fate,” said Major.

Effort to talk to MCP spokesperson Maurice Munthali proved futile.