Malawi: Leader Of Opposition Resigns After Forming ‘Own’ Party

By Joseph Dumbula

Kondwani Nankhumwa, who has contentiously the Leader of Opposition in Malawi’s parliament has announced he is stepping down from the role at a time when he has formed his own political party known as People’s Development Party (PDP).

Nankhumwa was months ago fired from the former ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) which is led by former Malawi President Peter Mutharika over alleged misconduct.

Nankhumwa, had been challenged his expulsion from the party arguing that the party violated its own constitution as the central committee did not call for arbitration after the disciplinary committee referred to the committee the matter that led Nankhumwa’s expulsion.

This had put the house in a dilemma as Article 35 of Standing Orders of Parliament stipulates that the Leader of Opposition shall be elected by the party not in government having the greatest numerical strength in Parliament.

The DPP had also moved to name Mary Navitcha as LoP, marking a challenging situation in the house.

But Nankhumwa has since said at the formation of his own party, he has stepped down on the LoP post.

 “Therefore, I hereby announce my decision to relinquish my position as Leader of the Opposition in Parliament. However, as the legal matters concerning my position are still pending in court, I have instructed my lawyers to initiate proceedings to withdraw this case, including other two related cases currently in the High Court,’’ he said.

He said the new party PDP will go solo in the September 16 2025 General Elections and expressed optimism that he will win.

However, there has been an array of alliances in the wake of the 50+1 threshold that Malawi adopted after the disputed elections in 2019.