By Chisomo Phiri
A group of Malawi Congress Party (MCP) members has asked party president Lazarus Chakwera to convene an emergency convention to address growing disagreements over his leadership tenure, party administrative boundaries and fees for internal elections.
In a petition dated November 5, 2026, the members have raised concerns over presidential term limits, the demarcation of party regions and districts, and candidature fees for committee elections, arguing that the issues require urgent resolution through the party’s constitutional structures.
The petition was delivered on Tuesday to MCP administrative secretary Howard Kachipanda, who confirmed to local media that he received two envelopes addressed to Chakwera but said he could not establish their contents because he did not open them.
The petition is signed by former MCP Southern Region chairperson Dennis Nanthumba on behalf of other undersigned party members and MCP veterans whose names appear on an attached petition form.
Nanthumba confirmed in an interview that he signed the petition.
“We want the President to know that his term has expired. He has no powers to dictate matters in the party,” said Nanthumba.
The petition calls on Chakwera to initiate constitutional procedures for an emergency convention in accordance with Article 39 of the MCP Constitution.
It reads in part: “We request that your office place this petition before the National Executive Committee and any other competent Party organ without delay, facilitate the procedures required for an Emergency Convention, suspend the disputed demarcation exercise and withdraw the announced candidature fees.”
The petitioners have also demanded a substantive written response within seven days, warning that they reserve the right to seek relief from a court of competent jurisdiction if their concerns are not addressed.
On the question of presidential term limits, they want the proposed emergency convention to resolve constitutional questions arising under Article 31(3) and (4) of the MCP Constitution.
They argue that any proposals to amend the provisions should be treated separately from the question of compliance with the existing constitution.
The disagreements over Chakwera’s political future have been growing since the MCP lost the September 2025 presidential election, with questions emerging over the party’s leadership and direction.
