MMD to go it alone in 2015 Presidential by-election – QFM

The MMD says they will go it alone in the forthcoming 2015 Presidential by-election despite being a member of the Opposition Alliance that is expected to field one common candidate in the election.

The Opposition Alliance formed on 27th February, 2014 consisting the MMD, Alliance for Better Zambia (ABZ), Zambians for Empowerment and Development (ZED), People’s Party (PP) and the All People’s Congress (APC) resolved to field one common candidate in all future elections.

MMD Deputy National Secretary Chembe Nyangu says though he cannot speak on behalf of the Alliance, he is not sure that its current agreement of fielding one common candidate would work for the 2015 Presidential election considering that it has come as an emergency.

Mr. Nyangu says only if a new development arises, he is certain the MMD will contest the 2015 presidential election in its individual capacity.

He says the MMD secretariat is already receiving pressure on the need for the party’s National Executive Committee (NEC) to hold an election to choose the MMD candidate to contest in the 2015 Presidential election.

Mr. Nyangu states that the former ruling was only waiting for its National Secretary Muhabi Lungu to return from abroad before holding the NEC meeting to begin preparations for the election.

He says all party members are free to apply to be the party’s candidate, adding that in the event party President Nevers Mumba is not elected as the MMD’s 2015 Presidential by-election he will still remain leader of the former ruling party.

And when contacted for a comment, Opposition Alliance Coordinator Frank Bwalya says it is news to him to hear of the intention by the MMD to contest the 2015 Presidential election single handedly.

Father Bwalya who is also ABZ president has told Qfm News in a separate interview by telephone that once the Alliance has received the official position of the MMD on this matter it will make an announcement of what will follow.

He says the current agreement on the table is that the Alliance will field one common candidate.

QFM NEWS