By Burnett Munthali
The Secretary General of the Malawi Congress Party (MCP), Richard Chimwendo Banda, has confidently stated that the party has no intention of leaving government, regardless of opposition efforts. Speaking to journalists in response to the latest Afrobarometer survey results, Chimwendo dismissed the findings, suggesting they lack accuracy and context.
“Afrobarometer has made mistakes in the past,” Chimwendo said, recalling similar surveys conducted during the Democratic Progressive Party’s (DPP) tenure in government. “At that time, the DPP was at its peak. Now, the party is split into three factions, with some members even starting their own parties.”
Chimwendo argued that the survey results were released during a period when the country was facing significant challenges. “The survey was conducted at a time when things in the country were not going well. Now, many of those problems are being resolved, and most people want this government to continue. No one will allow the DPP to return to power after the suffering people endured under their rule,” he said.
The MCP Secretary General also questioned the methodology of the survey, claiming it was not representative of the broader voting population. “The survey only sampled 1,200 people, many of whom were randomly approached in urban areas without verifying whether they are registered voters. This is a far cry from the 7 million eligible voters in the country,” he noted.
Chimwendo reaffirmed the MCP’s commitment to addressing the nation’s challenges and ensuring continued progress. “We are rebuilding this country, and the people understand that. The MCP remains focused on its development agenda, and we will not be swayed by such reports,” he concluded.
As political discourse heats up in the lead-up to the 2025 general elections, Chimwendo’s remarks highlight the MCP’s determination to retain power amidst growing competition from opposition parties.
