Cui Bono: Why must you ask, "Who benefits?" in Atupele-APM fallout

Cui bono is a Latin phrase that means "who benefits?" and it suggests that it's highly likely that those who cause a particular event are those who stand to gain from it. 

For example, if a certain crime is committed, 'cui bono' suggests that the one who committed that particular crime is most likely the one who benefited from it. 

This notion can also be applied in other facets of life. In this case, therefore, United Democratic Front (UDF) president Atupele Muluzi fits well in this principle. 

On Monday, speaking at his home turf at Ntaja in Machinga, he made an uncomfortable suggestion regarding his 2020 electoral alliance partner, former president Professor Peter Mutharika of the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP).

Atupele asked Mutharika not to contest in the forthcoming election, saying "he's old and should rest."

To say Mutharika is old and must shelve his political ambitions is a red line for the DPP supporters, and whoever makes such utterance is seen as an "enemy". 

So, Atupele made himself the target of DPP's ridicule and other social media vitriols.

And on Tuesday, DPP's lap dogs dragged Atupele's father, former president Bakili Muluzi, into the razzmatazz.  

But in all this, Atupele himself is the prime beneficiary of his own fallout. There's something he's likely to benefit from this. Your guess is as good as mine. 

Here is a fun fact. In politics, there are three core values: selfishness, selfishness, selfishness. Selfishness is the only true virtue; loyalty is just an afterthought.

It was just 5 years ago when Atupele was APM's "buddy", but fast-forward to today, he's turned against him. The bromance is gone. 

Niccolo Machiavelli once said, "...those who grab power use deceit and betrayal." And Atupele has chosen to betray Peter Mutharika. 

But this shouldn't surprise you, because in politics there are no lifelong friends nor enemies, only permanent interests.

It's about self-preservation. Politicians go where the grass is lush green, power is appetising! It takes a man to resist its allure. 

But here's a story to incite your mind. 

A young man died. When he arrived in heaven, Angel Gabriel ordered him to spend a night in hell and another in heaven. After visiting these two places, he was asked to pick which of the two would he prefer to spend eternity with. On the first day, Angel Gabriel put him in an elevator and lowered him into hell. When the doors cracked open, he was astonished. Hell was picturesque, it had beautiful houses, ornaments and good roads. It was stunning. The next day, he was taken to heaven. It was rather boring; people were just singing and clapping. No fun that would serenade him. And at the end of it, Angel Gabriel asked him to choose. Like most of us would do, he chose hell. Then he was put in the elevator and lowered back to hell. When the doors opened, he was astounded. Hell had completely changed, now it was dark, and all the glory had vanished. When he asked what happened, Lucifer replied: "I change the design of my place anytime I wish to, so for now this is it. Enjoy the stay."