George Chaponda is rapidly earning a spot in the Guinness Book of Records as Malawi’s most unelectable candidate. He’s been repeatedly outmaneuvered by the political upstart Kondwani Nankhumwa, first losing the Vice President for the South position, then the Leader of Opposition role. Today, Joseph Mwanavekha handed him yet another defeat in the race for DPP Vice President at this year’s convention.
Ironically, Chaponda remains favored by Peter Mutharika, who secured him the Leader of Opposition post. When asked by Brian Banda about his convention setback, Chaponda countered with his leadership role: “As the Leader of the Opposition, I’m the most senior in Parliament. I have the perks of a minister—a government vehicle and a house. This loss doesn’t concern me; our sights are set on next year’s battle.”
Chaponda’s standing within the DPP has hit rock bottom, a decline rooted in the Kaloswe-Zambia corruption scandal during his tenure as Minister of Agriculture. Though courts cleared him, public opinion hasn’t been as forgiving. His defeat reflects the widespread view that Chaponda is more of a political liability than an asset.
