By Staff Reporter | Lilongwe
Governance experts have warned the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) against sidelining experienced members and structures from the Central Region, cautioning that the practice could undermine the party’s prospects in the 2030 General Elections.
The experts say the treatment of senior cadres from the region, including Prof. Paul Gadama and Former Speaker of Parliament Henry Chimunthu Banda, points to a growing culture of prioritizing loyalty over competence.
Political commentator Ceasar Kondowe said the continued sidelining of the two administrative heavyweights was distracting the party at a critical moment.
“Ahead of 2030, the DPP needs inclusivity and not exclusion,” Kondowe said. “You cannot achieve national goals by pushing out people who built the party.”
He urged the leadership to move away from punishing dissent and instead conduct a “deeper soul-searching and political post-mortem” on why some members who contributed professionally remain distant from positions of influence.
Prof. Paul Gadama, it’s believed that he is one of the youthful founding DPP member who worked closely with the late Bingu wa Mutharika, is credited with having strong institutional memory of the party. Gadama has been loyal to the DPP since its inception. “He was there when the party was registered. He has made significant sacrifices for the party,” why sidelining the very important people for the party.
Many believe that if Gadama could be in the key position, many could be helped and taken to the great heights.
Henry Chimunthu Banda, also a former Speaker of Parliament and one-time DPP Vice President, similarly carries decades of experience. He faced resistance during previous leadership contests, with officials in the South and East publicly backing other candidates and questioning his commitment.
Analysts argue that sidelining such educated and experienced figures from the Central Region risks alienating a key electoral bloc. With four years to go until the 2030 polls, governance experts warn that political parties that ignore merit, inclusivity, and regional balance do so at their own peril.
“Sidelining the Central Region now is a strategic mistake the DPP may not recover from by 2030,” Kondowe noted.
