Councillors for the opposition Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) from Blantyre have endorsed former President Peter Mutharika as the party’s torchbearer for the 2025 polls.

The councilors who were led by Blantyre City South East lawmaker Sameer Suleman met Mutharika over the weekend where they officially endorsed him.

Councillor for Blantyre City Soche East Ward Leonard Chimbanga confirmed of the development in a statement posted on his official facebook page.

According to Chimbanga, the councilors also complained of the insufficient MK150,000 honorarium and the latest centralised processing which the government has started deducting 20% as a Tax and slow in dispersement, which they deemed inadequate given the escalating cost of living in urban areas.

They also lamented the discontinuation of the Malata subsidy projects and the food-for-work programs, both of which had been highly beneficial to many Malawians.

In his reaction, Mutharika faulted the Tonse Alliance of President Dr. Lazarus Chakwera for centralizing government functions in Lilongwe, which he argued has turned Blantyre into a “ghost city.”

He also faulted the attempt to transfer the High Court to Lilongwe, viewing it as part of a broader strategy to undermine the southern region.

The opposition DPP is scheduled to hold its elective conference in July this year.