OPC Denies Claims Mutharika Missed Cabinet Meeting, Calls Social Media Reports “False”
The Office of the President and Cabinet has dismissed as “entirely false” reports circulating on social media claiming President Arthur Peter Mutharika did not chair last week’s Cabinet meeting.
In a statement issued from Capital Hill Tuesday, OPC said all Cabinet meetings since Mutharika assumed office on 16 September 2025 have been personally convened and chaired by the President at State House.
“Among the false claims currently being propagated is the allegation that His Excellency Professor Arthur Peter Mutharika did not chair the Cabinet meeting held last week, on 27th May, 2026, at State House, and instead delegated a Cabinet Minister to preside over it.
This allegation is entirely false and devoid of any factual basis,” the statement read.
Chief Secretary Justin Adack K. Saidi, PhD, said the President personally chairs Cabinet in line with his constitutional mandate, and any suggestion to the contrary is a “deliberate attempt to mislead the public, undermine confidence in the Presidency, and create unnecessary speculation.”
OPC also addressed narratives around the President delegating officials to state functions.
Saidi said the Constitution empowers the President to delegate representation “whenever the President deems it appropriate and necessary,” guided by efficiency and fiscal discipline.
“His Excellency delegates representation to the most relevant and appropriate official, taking into account the nature and objectives of the particular function.
Such decisions are not motivated by malice, indifference, or ill-will, but are deliberate measures aimed at promoting efficient governance, reducing unnecessary public expenditure, and demonstrating leadership by example in the implementation of Government’s austerity agenda,” Saidi stated.
The Chief Secretary urged Malawians to exercise freedom of expression responsibly and avoid spreading misinformation.
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