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UDF national chairman Bakili Muluzi Saturday in Phalombe hit back at his critics, arguing that Malawians are setting a bad precedence for not showing respect to him as a former head of state.
The former head of state, who is on a series of whistle-stop tours aimed at strengthening the UDF, departed from a “thank you speech” to address his critics who he said are going all over town insulting him as if he did nothing during his 10 years as president of the country..
“We are setting a bad precedence if you don’t know. I was a president for 10 years and insults cannot be a thank you. Bakili Muluzi shut up, President of a country?” He asked.
Muluzi said only God knows how to deal with his critics as he had fought tirelessly for democracy in the country and deserved respect.
“Fighting the one party system was not easy. Today people are free to express themselves in newspapers and radio stations. That was not easy,” he said.
He reiterated that there is no way a government can run without a political party.
“There is no way a government can run without a political party unless it is a military government” he said.
Flanked by president of the defunct NDA Brown Mpinganjira, Muluzi said he is aware of separation of powers but that people in a political party are the ones who form a government.
Muluzi said during the time he was in the United Kingdom there was silence in the UDF which he likened to a couple which cannot bear children.
Muluzi added that the merging of the UDF and NDA was aimed at uniting Malawians and encouraging peace. He refuted media reports that Mpinganjira is poised to get a high post in the UDF.
He said he worked hard for Bingu wa Mutharika to win presidency and that he would be campaigning for him in 2009.
In his remarks, Mpinganjira said he was aware that there are some individuals who are questioning his decision to go back to the UDF.
“We are not moved because no one grows thinner as a result of being insulted. We are going to work with Muluzi to encourage peace and order in the country,” he said.
He said he contested in the elections to take over government not to strengthen opposition.
“Is there any need to strengthen the opposition? We do not need a strong opposition and I will encourage the government,” he said.
Mpinganjira thanked Muluzi for peace and development that he has maintained over the past 10 years. He said it was the former head of state who stopped the chaotic scenes after May 20 elections through his discussions with Chakuamba and other opposition leaders who have joined the government.
Muluzi is touring the country ostensibly to thank his supporters and to strengthen the party at the grassroots amid reports that there is a widening rift between people in his camp and those who support Mutharika.
Mutharika’s vow to crack down corruption has not gone down well with some people in the UDF who feel there is witch hunting within the ranks of the party.
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