JUST IN: Malawi’s Vice President Saulos Chilima Dies In Plane Crash

Published

12 months ago

June 11, 2024

thecloudngr

JUST IN: Malawi’s Vice President Saulos Chilima Dies In Plane Crash—-In a tragic turn of events, Malawian search teams have discovered the wreckage of a plane that was carrying Vice President Saulos Chilima and nine others.

The aircraft went missing on Monday during inclement weather conditions, according to a military source.

The military plane, which was carrying the 51-year-old Vice President along with other passengers, disappeared after failing to land in the northern city of Mzuzu due to poor visibility.

The aircraft was instructed to return to the capital, Lilongwe, but unfortunately, it crashed with no survivors found among the wreckage.

Photographs provided by a member of the military rescue team to AFP show army personnel on a foggy slope near debris identified as the Malawi Army Air Wing Dornier 228-202K aircraft. The discovery has left the nation in mourning.

President Lazarus Chakwera is expected to address the nation regarding the incident. The president has yet to confirm the details about potential survivors officially, though initial reports indicate that there were none.

Rescue efforts had been concentrated in a fog-covered forest south of Mzuzu, following the signal from the last transmission tower the plane contacted before it vanished. General Paul Valentino Phiri, the army commander, revealed that neighboring countries had joined the search, providing helicopters and drones to aid the effort.

The plane departed from Lilongwe around 9:00 am local time (0700 GMT) on Monday, heading to Mzuzu to attend the funeral of a former cabinet minister, a journey of approximately 370 kilometers (230 miles). Among the passengers was also Malawi’s former first lady, Shanil Dzimbiri.

Vice President Chilima, first elected in 2014, was a well-loved and charismatic figure in Malawi, especially admired by the youth for his stern yet inspirational demeanor. His career faced challenges in 2022 when he was arrested and charged with corruption in a bribery scandal involving a British-Malawian businessman.

However, last month, a Malawian court dismissed the charges, and Chilima had recently resumed his official duties.

This tragic accident has left a profound impact on the nation, as Malawians mourn the loss of a leader who played a significant role in the country’s political landscape.

(AFP)

thecloudngr

0Shares

Politics

2027: NASS Leadership Endorses Tinubu

Published

16 hours ago

May 22, 2025

thecloudngr

2027: NASS Leadership Endorses Tinubu—-The leadership of the National Assembly (NASS) on Thursday at the National Summit of the All Progressives Congress (APC) party, held in Abuja, endorsed President Bola Tinubu as their sole candidate for the 2027 presidential election.

The endorsement was moved by Sen. Godswill Akpabio, the President of the Senate, and seconded by Hon. Tajudeen Abass, the Speaker of the House of Representatives.

This followed an earlier endorsement of Tinubu as the sole candidate of the APC in the 2027 by Gov. Hope Uzodinma of Imo and Chairman of the Progressive Governors’ Forum.

Akpabio moved that Tinubu should be adopted as the sole candidate of the APC for the Presidency in 2027.

“Nigerians are saying that because you have done a difficult job well, that it is time to reward you by sending you back to the Presidency for a second term in office,” he said.

Akpabio said the endorsement was based on the political sagacity of Tinubu, whom he said had been able to set Nigeria on the path of growth as confirmed by the International Monetary Fund (IMF).

He said Nigerians and people at the grassroots were very excited, and that members of the National Assembly were also excited and had never had it so good.

Abass said he stood on behalf of 109 Senators and 360 members of the House of Representatives, and all the 36 Speakers and their members, to second the motion raised by the president of the senate.

thecloudngr

0Shares

Politics

2027: APC Governors Endorse Tinubu As Sole Presidential Candidate

Published

17 hours ago

May 22, 2025

thecloudngr

2027: APC Governors Endorse Tinubu As Sole Presidential Candidate—-The Progressive Governors Forum on Thursday at the All Progressives Congress (APC) National Summit held in Abuja endorsed President Bola Tinubu as sole candidate for the 2027 presidential election.

The endorsement, which was moved by Gov. Hope Uzodimma of Imo and Chairman of the forum Chairman, was seconded by Gov. Uba Sani of Kaduna State.

Uzodimma, who spoke on behalf of the forum, emphasised commitment to mobilising resources and ensuring victory for Tinubu in their respective states.

The governors expressed confidence in Tinubu’s leadership and reforms, promising to deliver their states in the upcoming elections.

This endorsement follows similar moves by other APC regional leaders, including the North Central governors who recently passed a vote of confidence in Tinubu’s administration, praising his developmental strides and inclusive governance approach.

thecloudngr