Former President Rupiah Banda to contest presidential by-election

Former President Rupiah Banda says he has been adopted as the MMD presidential candidate in the forthcoming presidential by-election.

Mr Banda the country’s fourth President has since declared his readiness to stand as the MMD Presidential candidate.
Mr Banda says he will however dialogue with Dr Mumba over the issue to avoid dividing the party.

Mr Banda who lost the presidency to late President Michael Sata in the 2011 is said to have been endorsed by 20 Members of Parliament out of 23.

And MMD National Secretary Muhabi Lungu has dismissed media reports that the National Executive Committee (NEC) has unanimously adopted MMD president, Nevers Mumba as its candidate for the upcoming presidential by-election.

In a statement issued today, Mr Lungu it is highly dishonest for anyone to communicate to the media on a non-resolution or any subject matter discussed for which they were not authorised.

Mr Lungu states that the NEC did not mandate anyone to communicate to the media about its discussion or the direction that it gave.

Mr Lungu says as Secretary to the NEC he did not issue or authorize any individual to issue any statement on behalf of the party.

He saays the statement that has been issued purporting to be emanating from the MMD Secretariat is, therefore, false, dishonest and intended to disrupt the direction given by the NEC.

Mr Lungu has since urged the media to disregard all statements about decisions made by NEC unless they emanate from the office of the National Secretary.

QFM NEWS