Mapuyu South lawmaker Esther Ceilia Kathumba has stirred up a storm of controversy with her proposal for President Lazarus Chakwera to be given a life presidency. Speaking at a groundbreaking ceremony for the Chileka-Likuni Road, Kathumba suggested that allowing Chakwera to rule for life would benefit the country greatly.
Kathumba stated that she would move a motion to change the laws to permit Chakwera to serve as president indefinitely. She praised the President for his transformative leadership and development projects in her constituency, leading her to believe that he should continue leading the nation.
However, Kathumba’s remarks have sparked a heated debate among Malawians. Critics argue that she is power-hungry and should not be allowed to push for such a drastic change, while supporters defend her right to express her opinion freely.
In response to the backlash, Kathumba highlighted the importance of the new road construction in addressing local challenges and praised Chakwera’s efforts in supporting tobacco growers. She noted the positive impact of the President’s foreign travels, citing the benefits of the Millennium Challenge Corporation Compact II.
Despite the division caused by her proposal, Kathumba remains steadfast in her support for Chakwera and believes that his leadership will lead to economic prosperity for the country. She hopes that the higher prices in the tobacco market will encourage more growers to restart cultivation and reap the benefits of their hard work.
As the nation grapples with the implications of Kathumba’s controversial suggestion, the debate over presidential term limits and the balance of power continues to unfold. Only time will tell how this proposal will shape the political landscape of Malawi in the days to come.