I am a founding member of PF, I won’t resign-Sampa

MATERO member of Parliament (MP) Miles Sampa says he will not resign from the Patriotic Front (PF) without consulting his relatives countrywide because he is a founder member of the ruling party.
And PF secretary-general Davies Chama has appealed to members to avoid acting on rumours and speculation created by individuals bent on destabilising the party.
Mr Sampa said individuals who are demanding his resignation from PF do not know the history of the party.
Speaking when he addressed his supporters and reopened his office at Central Park in Lusaka yesterday, Mr Sampa said he is a member of the central committee (MCC) and only reports and talks to President Lungu or Mr Chama if there is an issue.
“They are calling for my resignation because they do not know the history of the PF. They were not there when we suffered with President Michael Sata to build the party. I, therefore, cannot resign without consultation from my relatives countrywide,” he said.
Mr Sampa said the 24-hour ultimatum given to him to resign is unattainable.
He requested members asking him to resign to give him a month to go on a countrywide tour to seek advice from his relatives in all the provinces.
He said the protesters should not speak on behalf of the entire Matero constituency but should instead maintain peace and never attempt to close his office again.
“The office has been opened and it will never be closed again because I signed a one-year contract to operate from here. This is not a public property and that is why I am bringing in tight security to protect myself,” Mr Sampa said.
And Mr Chama said it is not the policy of the PF to speak on behalf of others, especially asking any member to resign without basis.
“Rumour-mongering and speculation only brings confusion to the party. We should not allow stories from people and media houses that only want to see confusion in the party to distract us,” he said.
And Mr Chama said Mr Sampa should not be asked to leave the party but should be left to decide the path he wants to take for himself.
He said his mandate as PF secretary-general is to mobilise the party and to ensure that structures and members remain intact and not to chase people.
Mr Chama said he talked to Mr Sampa after he relinquished his position as deputy minister of Commerce, Trade and Industry and that he pledged loyalty to President Lungu and the party.
He said Mr Sampa said at a joint press briefing that the only thing that would make him leave PF is death, and that stories of him wanting to leave or form his own political party are mere speculation.
Mr Chama said Mr Sampa remains a PF member.
He, however, advised Mr Sampa not to “burn bridges” if he plans to leave.
Some PF members in Matero constituency on Tuesday dared Mr Sampa to resign and prove his popularity claim.