In preparation for the 2025 general elections, it is reported that the UTM party has approached former Football Association of Malawi (FAM) President Walter Nyamilandu with an offer to join the party as a potential running mate.
Social media commentator Julius Mithi revealed on his Facebook page that the same team which previously persuaded Dalitso Kabambe to leave the DPP for UTM has now convinced Nyamilandu.
“Mithi’s Facebook post confirms that prominent figures including Mama Patricia Kaliati, Fredokiss Kalua, Bright Kawaga, and Honourable Felix Njawala have approached Nyamilandu-Manda to join UTM after he declined the DPP’s offer to stand as Deputy General Secretary,” the post stated.
Reports suggest that UTM’s strategy involves pairing Nyamilandu with Dalitso Kabambe on a potential presidential ticket to challenge the ruling Malawi Congress Party (MCP) effectively during the 2025 elections.
There were earlier speculations that Nyamilandu might be a candidate for the DPP. However, Peter Mutharika’s return to the political scene seemingly dashed Nyamilandu’s hopes of becoming Malawi’s next president. Subsequently, DPP officials reportedly offered him the role of Deputy Secretary General, but this offer did not include the running mate position.
Kabambe, who has joined UTM as a potential presidential candidate, is expected to face competition from other candidates such as Dr. Mathews Mtumbumbuka and Dr. Michael Usi. Dr. Usi remains Vice President of UTM, following Chilima’s selection by MCP’s Chakwera as a running mate in the 2020 presidential elections. UTM is currently seeking its 2025 torchbearer.
In the meantime, the Malawi Congress Party has already held its convention, endorsing President Lazarus Chakwera as its candidate for the 2025 elections. The focus now shifts to who Chakwera will select as his running mate.
The DPP is scheduled to hold its convention next week, starting on August 17, at COMESA Hall in Blantyre. Other parties, including UDF, UTM, and AFORD, are yet to hold their elective conventions.
