Zambia: Four File for Presidency
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The Times of Zambia (Ndola)
27 August 2008
Posted to the web 27 August 2008
VICE-President, Rupiah Banda is among four prominent MMD members who have applied to stand on the party ticket to be floated for the Republican presidency for the forthcoming by-election.
Others are former vice-president, Enoch Kavindele, former Works and Supply minister, Ludwig Sondashi and Finance Minister, Ng'andu Magande.
MMD spokesperson, Bennie Tetamashimba said in a telephone interview that Mr Banda handed in his application yesterday but could not give further details.
"I can confirm that Mr Banda has filed his application. I am happy that Dr Katele Kalumba and Mr Michael Mabenga have not filed because this will enhance unity in the party," Mr Tetamashimba said.
And veteran politician and former Information and Broadcasting Services minister Vernon Mwaanga has thrown his weight behind Vice-President Rupiah Banda whom he says is the best candidate to represent the MMD during the forth-coming presidential by elections.
Mr Mwaanga who was found at the MMD secretariat in Lusaka yesterday said the MMD should support Mr Banda so that the country could move forward in a stable manner.
Mr Mwaanga said the late Dr Mwanawasa's vision should be carried forward and the only suitable person to do so at the moment was Mr Banda.
"I am giving my full support to the vice president. He is the right candidate and choice of the people," he said in an interview.
He advised the national executive committee (NEC) of MMD to endorse the candidature of Mr Banda who was appointed by the late President Mwanawasa.
"He has the experience and maturity and he has the acceptability of the people," he said.
Mr Kavindele who personally handed in his application at the party's secretariat in Lusaka said he was the best candidate because he had no problems with people at the grassroots, who also knew his capabilities.
"I do have considerable political experience dating back to the time I served as member of the central committee in the UNIP Government whilst also participating in several committees.
"The political positions I have held have exposed me to the breadth and width of the country. Other than that, I am able to communicate with the grassroots in vernacular quite easily in any part of the country as I speak 29 Zambian languages," he said.
The MMD in Eastern Province has also called for the adoption of acting President, Rupiah Banda as the party presidential candidate.
Eastern Province MMD NEC members, the provincial executive committee (PEC), district and constituency committees as well as members of Parliament (MPs) said this is a statement issued in Chipata yesterday.
The statement was signed by all the 15 MMD MPs, five NEC members and 12 PEC members as well as district and constituency officials from the province.
In a related development MMD founder member, Mbita Chitala said Mr Banda was the best person to take over from the late Dr Mwanawasa for the remaining three years.
Mr Chitala said during a live Muvi Television programme, 'The matter at hand', on Monday evening that Mr Banda was the only one who would ensure smooth transition from the current situation to 2011 because there would be continuity.
Mr Chitala said most of his colleagues in the party's NEC shared his views on who should be president for the next three years.
Prominent Kitwe lawyer William Nyirenda and chief Mwanachingwala of Southern Province have also supported Mr Banda's candidature.
Mr Kavindele said upon the retirement of party president Frederick Chiluba, whom he served as vice president, he refused to assume the position of president to give way to the late Dr Mwanawasa to harmonise the party and the Republican presidency.
Mr Kavindele said, in trying to uphold the late President's vision for economic emancipation of the people and his crusade against corruption, he would establish a commission of inquiry into the disposal of major assets.
He said he was also aware of the precarious financial position of the party and when elected to represent the MMD as its presidential candidate, he intends to contribute to the funding of the election campaign.
Relevant Links
Dr Sondashi said he submitted his application yesterday for the NEC to consider his adoption as a party candidate in the forthcoming presidential by-election.
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Read comments. Write your own.
Jj, pliz avoid referring to The Cross of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ as the damned cross. Would you ever use derogatory language again Muhammad, Bhudda etc?? Simply stick to what you want to say without your vain heroics of provocation.
what is happening with our Zambian politicians,you guys,do you mean to tell me that josting for positions is all you can do,whilst your brother levy is not even put to rest.Shame on you all that submitted nominations for presidency,you are a big embarasment to us young peaple.I mean some of you guys are so old,you served in all the regimes, Zambia has had.And you accomplished nothing all you did was making your bank accounts so fat,when are you going to say we have stollen enough.´´lEVY did quite a lot to put Zambia on the right road to economic emancipation.And… [Read Full Text]
JJ unless you can design, propose and implement a new process for dealing with the unusual situation that we, the Zambians find ourselves in, you have no leg to stand on. How long would you rather we gave before beginning to "jostle" for position? Are your emotions the standard we will use to decide when to start preparing for the future of your children? I don't think so. Yours and other children deserve our full attention and therefore there is no minute to waste "feeling sorry" for ourselves for the loss of our great president. Every second that passes by… [Read Full Text]
jesus is our great leader if only those who are filing in could think twice, they is need to come up with a good leader.It is my prayer that we pray and ask to God like solomon did when he was given opportunity to ask what he wanted from the lord.let us choose wisely.we need good vision just like mwanawasa had for mother ZAMBIA
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