A political commentator Humphrey Mvula has advised the former head of state Peter Mutharika to swallow his pride and attend the inauguration ceremony of the newly elected president, Lazarus Chakwera, on July 6 as tradition demands.

Mutharika did not attend the swearing in ceremony of Chakwera as the new president on Sunday.

Mvula said the inauguration ceremony is a formal function which traditionally demands the outgoing president to officially hand over the power to his successor as a sign of leaving the office on a good note.

He said: “Tradition demands that the outgoing president must appear during the inauguration ceremony to officially hand over the powers to his successor.”

Mvula further said the inauguration is usually attended by international delegates hence it is absurd for the outgoing leader to miss the event.

However, the commentator highlighted that it is not against the laws if the former president choses to abscond the event.

On the absence of Mutharika during the swearing in ceremony of Chakwera on Sunday, Mvula said it’s not a must for the outgoing president to be present.

Chakwera won the presidential election which was conducted on June 23 after getting 58 percent of total votes against Mutharika’s 38 percent.