By Vincent Gunde
Malawi Congress Party (MCP) National Spokesperson Jessie Kabwila has expressed confidence that the party will return to government in the 2030 general elections, saying its members have settled on former president Lazarus Chakwera as their preferred presidential candidate.
Speaking during a Times exclusive interview,Kabwila said the party is determined to field a candidate capable of winning the election, arguing that this is why members and supporters are backing Chakwera.
Kabwila: MCP is retuning in government in 2030
She acknowledged that Malawians faced challenges under Chakwera’s previous administration but argued that the current situation under the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) and President Arthur Peter Mutharika is worse, particularly with the country experiencing prolonged fuel shortages.
She said the MCP belong to its grassroots members, including those at branch, area, constituency and district levels, who, according to her,recognise Chakwera’s leadership and consider him the party’s strongest candidate for 2030.
“We will not field a player to lose but to win, the owners of the party have said Chakwera, we have to respect the decision of the majority,” she said.
Kabwila also maintained that decisions concerning the MCP Constitution should remain within the party, arguing that the leadership will respect the choice of its members.
However, a vice constituency secretary for Lilongwe Urban, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said removing Chakwera as party president or convincing him to step aside will be difficult.
The MCP official accused Chakwera of disregarding the party’s constitution to advance his political interests, arguing that its provisions require a party president to serve two consecutive terms.
He questioned Chakwera’s continued presidential ambitions, claiming that his participation in the 2020 court-sanctioned presidential election and the September 2025 elections raised constitutional concerns.
The official further alleged that Chakwera’s pursuit of the 2030 presidential ticket exposes the party to legal challenges from members who believe its constitution has been undermined.
He also criticised those supporting Chakwera, arguing that some of them contributed to the party’s defeat in the September 2025 elections.
The MCP official commended some youthful parliamentarians for taking positions that he said are in defence of the party’s constitution and in disagreement with Chakwera’s continued leadership ambitions.
