Scott unmoved by endorsements,insists on general conference

Acting President Guy Scott has maintained that there are no two ways of adopting the Patriotic Front presidential candidate other than through the general conference.

And Dr. Scott says he has instructed the party to book Mulungushi Rock of Authority in Kabwe for purposes of holding the general conference at the end of next week.

Addressing journalists at his office this afternoon, Dr. Scott says what is upsetting him the most is that there is a petition going round in Parliament which over 60 Members of Parliament have signed endorsing PF Secretary General Edgar Lungu as presidential candidate.

Dr. Scott says this is the reason why the country is currently witnessing clashes between the Police and the cadres.

Dr. Scott, who refused to take questions from journalists, says there is need for all supporters of the PF to respect the democratic principles that underpin the party’s constitution.

He says he is disturbed by reports that some Central Committee members wished to select a candidate without a General Conference, saying this will ignore laid down procedure and a transparent democratic process.

The Acting President insists that the party can not endorse decisions through intimidation and disorder and that any attempts to short-cut the process will create anarchy.

Citing Article 51(1) and 61(d) of the PF Constitution, Dr. Scott has given instructions to start preparations for a general conference at Mulungushi Rock of Authority scheduled to take place on 29th November, 2014.

Meanwhile, some senior PF officials who sought an audience with Dr. Scott at his office told Journalists that they have stopped issuing out statements to the media and prefer to resolve the matter internally.

Sports Minister, Chishimba Kambwili who was part of the delegation, says the party has concluded to resolve the matter in a mature manner by avoiding the media.

The officials who went to see the Acting President include; PF National Chairperson Inonge Wina, PF Secretary General Edgar Lungu, PF Central Committee Member Willie Nsanda among others.