Mutharika stressed that the newly elected leaders must fully recognize the extent of their responsibility to ensure the success of the DPP in next year’s general elections. He urged them to be ready to make sacrifices and make significant efforts for the greater good of both the party and the nation.

“It is not enough to just contest for positions; we must be ready to serve,” Mutharika said. He also stressed that winning a position should not be an end in itself but rather a starting point to make meaningful contributions to the progress of the party and ultimately the development of Malawi.

“We have to work hard to highlight the party and make it a peaceful and clean organization. We have a serious fight ahead of us so I will not hesitate to remove anyone who fails to deliver,” Mutharika said.

The former president also noted that the DPP leadership must remain focused on serving the people of Malawi rather than pursuing self-interest. He expressed confidence that every individual who participated and won at the convention was committed to serving the country, not their own personal gain.

In his remarks, Mutharika was particularly critical of President Lazarus Chakwera’s administration, accusing it of leading the country into both economic and social decline. He stated that even Chakwera himself is aware that the people are increasingly tired of his government and there is a palpable desire among Malawians to see him replaced in the upcoming elections in September.

Mutharika alleged that the Chakwera administration is resorting to underhand tactics, including election rigging and politically motivated arrests, in an effort to secure victory in 2025. He pointed to recent incidents such as the violent disruption of peaceful demonstrations against the Malawi Electoral Commission (MEC) . ) and the National Registration Bureau (NRB) in Lilongwe, where he claimed that government-affiliated groups were sent to intimidate citizens and derail protests.

“The Chakwera administration has destroyed this country,” Mutharika said, adding that such tactics will not deter the DPP from continuing to advocate for a better and more prosperous Malawi.

Mutharika’s comments highlight ongoing political tensions in the country as preparations for the 2025 general elections intensify, with both the DPP and the ruling Malawi Congress Party (MCP) gearing up for what promises to be a hotly contested race.