September 16 elections are almost five weeks away. However, it is apparent that as a country we are not yet done with the political drama of the season.
This time the plot is the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP)’s latest and most baffling alliance with Enoch Chihana, a man whose political record barely qualifies him to be taken seriously, let alone be entrusted with the strategic leadership of any serious party’s campaign.
In a country yearning for transformative leadership, this partnership raises more concerns than the hope it is fashioned to bring, and it exposes the DPP’s desperation, not strategy.
Enoch Chihana’s sole credential in Malawian politics is his last name, and everything ends there. The surname.
The son of Chakufwa Chihana, the father of multiparty democracy in Malawi, Enoch inherited the Alliance for Democracy (AFORD) like a family heirloom. But while his father stood as a giant in Malawi’s democratic struggle, Enoch has reduced AFORD into a faint shadow of its former self.
Once the “giant of the North,” AFORD can no longer move the political dial in a single constituency, let alone across the region.
Under Enoch’s leadership, AFORD has become politically irrelevant, devoid of structure, strategy, or influence. Its decline from a movement that once shaped national discourse to a party that barely maintains visibility even in Rumphi, its historic stronghold and Chihana’s home district, is as tragic as it is telling.
And yet, the DPP, a party already burdened by the aging and frail Arthur Peter Mutharika, has chosen to align itself with Chihana in a last-ditch attempt to secure votes in the North.
The result is a coalition without conviction, driven more by optics, if any can be garnered, than value. A hollow partnership that exposes DPP’s strategic bankruptcy.
It is not enough to say Chihana has failed. He has not only failed to grow AFORD; he has failed to sustain it.
His only significant political victory came in a controversial by-election that raised eyebrows rather than applause.
Since then, his record has been one of absence, insignificance, and ineffectiveness.
In his own constituency, Chihana is seen less as a leader and more as a political poodle, barking loudly on national matters but doing little to uplift his constituents or contribute to national development.
On questions of governance, transparency, and accountability, Chihana would struggle to register a passing score.
His tenure in public life has been marked not by reform or innovation, but by controversy, flamboyance, and reckless political opportunism. While others championed ideas, Chihana championed entitlement. While the North sought leadership, he offered theatrics.
And now, he presents himself as the savior of a DPP campaign that is already tottering.
The decision to allow Chihana to front the DPP campaign in the North reflects the party’s internal dysfunction. It’s not a move based on electoral strength, demographic appeal, or even ideological alignment. It is a move based on desperation.
What does Chihana bring to the alliance?
No structure. AFORD has neither grassroots organization nor operational capacity.
No momentum. His name no longer inspires loyalty, not even in the North.
No credibility. Chihana’s public life is tainted with scandals and a reputation for irresponsibility.
No policy agenda. He has never articulated a credible vision for Malawi.
To appreciate just how absurd Chihana’s positioning is, one must consider the quality of leadership the North has offered in this very election cycle.
Vitumbiko Mumba, running mate to President Lazarus Chakwera, is a seasoned engineer with deep international and domestic exposure in his field. He has already demonstrated that at least he can work and bring something different to the nation. He brings to the table technical know-how, a modern outlook, and a relatable vision for youth and economic empowerment.
Dr. Matthews Mtumbuka, running mate to Dr. Dalitso Kabambe, is a technocrat of repute, known for his work in ICT, academic excellency, and corporate leadership. He brings a fresh perspective, data-driven leadership, and integrity. Mtumbuka is well respected in both rural and elite circles, a perfect foil to the older, more traditional campaign personalities.
He has so much respect in the north and the Catholic Church seems to be in his corner. Dr. Mtumbuka at least adds something to the UTM campaign.
Frank Mwenifumbo, Khumbo Kachali, and Timothy Mtambo—each of whom has held ministerial positions, also stand head and shoulders above Chihana. Mwenifumbo and Kachali have regional and national influence, with demonstrable capacity to organize, mobilize, and articulate policy. Kachali once served as the country’s vice president.
Mtambo, though polarizing, commands attention and a loyal following among youth and civil society.
None of these individuals have been plagued by the kind of personal scandals or public failures that Chihana has carried like baggage for the better part of the last decade.
Beyond political irrelevance, Chihana’s personal life has been a source of public ridicule.
His notorious love triangles, scandalous affairs, and associations with social media “slay queens” have made him a laughingstock on the national stage. The tales of how he literary snatched his current wife from another young man while serving as a Cabinet Minister only further erode his moral authority.
Add to this the scandal involving multiple men, Chihana among them, allegedly paying child support for the same child fathered by a well-known social media personality.
While others have buried themselves in constituency work and policy matters, Chihana has made headlines for the wrong reasons.
In a political environment where voters are demanding accountability, integrity, and seriousness, Chihana represents the opposite.
As Malawians, we should be worried.
When a party like the DPP, once seen as a serious contender, aligns with someone like Chihana, it signals that it no longer values credibility or competence. It reveals that the party’s goal is not to present a better Malawi, but simply to win, by any means necessary, even if it means partnering with a political lightweight whose only currency is nostalgia and family name.
This is not just a poor strategy. It is dangerous. It insults the intelligence of northern voters, reduces regional politics to dynastic games, and sidelines better, more capable leaders.
It also casts a dark shadow over the DPP’s entire electoral strategy, suggesting that, beyond recycled slogans and tired faces, the party has no plan.
Enoch Chihana’s inclusion in DPP campaign to “enter” the North Alliance is not an isolated blunder, it is symptomatic of the broader crisis within the DPP.
A party that has refused to regenerate, rejected youthful talent, and clung to authoritarian shadows of the past, the DPP now hopes to revive its national appeal by leaning on a discredited figure with no meaningful base.
Chihana brings no value to the DPP’s campaign. He brings no strategy, no structure, no moral capital, no political leverage, and no vision.
What he brings is confusion, division, scandal, and a reminder of everything Malawians are trying to move away from.
The North deserves better. Malawi deserves better.
The question is no longer whether Chihana should be part of the alliance. The real question is why the DPP thought he was worth bringing in at all.
