Former Minister of Information and Digitalization Mark Botomani has lambasted a move by some Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) lawmakers to endorse former President Peter Mutharika.

Information sourced by this publication, a total of 39 lawmakers are scheduled to meet Mutharika at PAGE house tomorrow to express their support for him ahead of the 2025 polls.

The MPs are led by Thyolo Thava MP Mary Navicha.

Speaking in an interview with the press Zomba Chisi MP Mark Botomani has faulted the meeting, saying it will further divide DPP members who are already disagreeing on the top leadership position.

He said during the party’s NGC meeting held in Mangochi last week there were calls for unity.

“So why is APM going to meet only a few people that support his endorsement? I thought with the sitting of Parliament ahead, it would have been important for our party president to invite all MPs and look at the incoming Parliament business and strategise on how to move forward?

“Essentially, this is leading to factionalism, which will continue to weaken us. From the blues, we hear they want to discuss the leadership of opposition in Parliament, which could be very pathetic because these matters have been in court,” said Botomani.

Peter Mutharika took over the leadership of DPP after the death of his brother, Bingu wa Mutharika in April 2012, and propelled the party to victory in the 2014 Tripartite Elections.