President Ngwazi Dr Bingu wa Mutharika has cleared the way for Vice-President Joyce Banda (pictured) , fondly called JB, to succeed him in the 2014 when he constitutionally retires.Mutharika, 75 has put an effectual quietus on third-term talk when State House said he will not elongate his presidential tenure when his Constitutionally mandated second and last five years expires in 2014.
The State President has no intention at all to extend his time of staying in office, said the statement issued by State House.
Third-term for Mutharika had gained currency in the media and public domain following reports that a task-force has been formed by government sanctioned by Mutharika to strategies how to win public support on perpetuating his stay in power.
The statement, however put to rest reports that President Mutharika was pondering to hold on to power beyond his two terms as he has denied that he will not be a candidate for a third-term.
The State President has openly said that he will respect the Malawi Constitution when his time of staying in office is over, State House statement reads.
Mutharika maintains that his ambition is to serve Malawi his second and last term with generous confidence he received from Malawians through a landslide victory on May 19.
The Presidents predecessor, Bakili Muluzi failed to amend the constitution to seek a third term but the incumbent through a State House statement assured that he will not tamper with the constitution.
Mutharika is likely to be succeeded by Malawis deputy president, the country firebrand woman politician Joyce Banda.
However, JB is likely to will slug it out with the Presidents brother, Prof Peter Mutharika, who is the Justice and Constitutional Affairs Minister.
The Vice-President is, however, is seen as a front-runner for the position as many believe she can offer stability and continuity of the DPP government.
Banda, the wife of former chief justice Richard Banda, who has served as chief judge in Swaziland, comes from Malemia village in Zomba district.
The recently installed the countrys goodwill ambassador for safe motherhood, founded the National Association of Business Women (NABW) in Malawi.
She (jointly with President Joaquim Chissano of Mozambique) was awarded the 1997 Africa Prize for Leadership for the Sustainable End of Hunger by the Hunger Project, a New York-based non-governmental organization.
In addition, she owns the Joyce Banda Foundation, a complex of Primary and Secondary School situated in Chimwankhunda area of Blantyre.
JB also enjoys the support of most young women between the ages of 17 and 40 and looks at her as their role model.
She also enjoys support for political leaders from all regions including Goodwell Gondwe the Leader of Government in Parliament.
Prof. Peter Mutharika is undoubtedly a distinguished scholar having taught International and Economic law at various reputable universities around the world.
However, his image has been bruised when he championed the marriage age to me 16 years for Malawi girls with concert of their parents which has triggered controversy.
The Head of State, bowing down to public pressure had since called for wider consultations on the unpopular bill by his brother.
Meanwhile, the succession plan in DPP will remain a source of instability if the imagination that the presidents brother will take over the mantle because this will result into several disrupted political careers of highly qualified persons who may be still waiting on the wings to succeed the incumbent president Mutharika.
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