MMD’s " boycott" of Lukulu, Kapiri bye-elections defended

MMD’s “ boycott” of Lukulu, Kapiri bye-elections defended

Lusaka, March 30, 2013, ZANIS – Veteran politician and founding member of opposition Movement for Multiparty Democracy  (MMD) founding member Mathias Mbirintengerenji has defended the party’s decision not to field candidates in the forthcoming Lukulu and Kapiri Mposhi parliamentary by elections

Mr. Mbirintengerenji says that decision the opposition party was a collective move and not a one-man show.

He said that decision was reached at after heavy consultation with senior National Executive Committee (NEC) members and brushed aside MMD critics of failure to field candidates in two areas.

Mr. Mbirintengerenji, who is former MMD Eastern Provincial Information and Publicity Secretary, claimed the MMD is the number strong opposition political party in the country followed by United Party for National Development (UPND).

He was speaking in an interview with ZANIS in Lusaka today.

“MMD is not contesting the Lukulu and Kapiri Mposhi parliamentary by elections but that move was reached at collectively and not a one-man show.

“ You might be aware that our party is still formidable party in the country and the UPND is number two,” Mr. Mbirintengerenji said.

Mr. Mbirintengerenji, a former Unionist said in a multi-party dispensation like Zambia, there is need for the opposition to be strong and united in giving checks and balances to the ruling Patriotic Front (PF) Government.

He urged MMD members to bury behind their differences and support rally the leadership of Dr. Nevers Mumba as opposed to parallel structures that of Richard Kachingwe led-executive because down-playing one each other was not a solution to the problems the party is faced with.

Notwithstanding this, some MMD members have great displeasure and shock their party has failed to field potential candidates in the two seats accusing its leader Pastor Nevers Mumba who has now opted to trade the MMD to UPND.

In Kapiri Mposhi, three candidates successfully filed their nominations ahead of the April 23 Lukulu parliamentary by elections.

The ruling PF has fielded Eddie Musonda and Francis Mwape is standing on the UNIP ticket.

The UPND has Lawrence Zimba where the MMD has claimed it is supporting the candidature of Mr. Zimba.

Eileen Imbae is on the ruling Patriotic Front (PF) ticket in Lukulu and she is being battling it with UPND.

Vice President Guy Scott said in Lukulu that the ruling PF has eaten up the MMD to a point that the former ruling party is virtually dead.

Dr. Scott appealed to the people of Lukulu district to vote for the PF candidate Ms. Imbae in the April 23 Lukulu parliamentary by elections because failure to field a candidate in the Lukulu and Kapiri Mposhi by elections is proof enough that the MMD was headed for extinction.