CHIPIMO DROPS OUT OF 2016 PRESIDENTIAL RACE

National Restoration Party (NAREP) President Elias Chipimo has officially announced he will not be running in next years Presidential election.
The Oxford educated Lawyer turned Politician says his party will concentrate on fielding in Parliamentary candidates next year.
“NAREP will not be fielding a presidential candidate in 2016. Our goal and our effort will be directed to building the foundation for victory in 2021. I will devote my time to ensuring that in 2016 we have representation both in parliament and in local government.
During the next election, we shall field candidates in select parliamentary constituencies and adopt counsellors to support them as part of how we build the necessary base for our future success.”
Chipimo said in a written statement released in Lusaka this morning.
He explained that the decision was not an easy one but urged his supporters to be patient.
But speculation is rife the eloquent NAREP leader may decide to throw his weight behind either President Edgar Lungu or UPND leader Hakainde Hichilema although he has maintained silence on those options.
Chipimo launched NAREP almost 5 yrs ago and has subsequently participated in each Presidential election.
His detractors and critics say he has failed to harness his youthful appeal and his popularity has largely stagnated only on social networking sites such as Facebook.