Maravi

ULP declines offer to rejoin UPND

ULP declines offer to rejoin UPND
By Nomusa Michelo
Monday February 19, 2007 [02:00]

THE United Liberal Party (ULP) has declined the offer by UPND to rejoin the party. ULP acting secretary general Sikwindi Situla, in a statement, explained that while the offer by the UPND was flattering, the party politely but firmly declined the offer. “Flattering though those overtures are from the UPND, we have to politely but firmly decline their offer,” he stated.

However, Situla advised the UPND to formalise their request by writing to the ULP, who would put the request to the national management committee for consideration. Situla stated that it was barely six months ago when the majority of the people who formed the ULP left UPND, not as a result of personalities or bitterness, but deep principle.

He stated that the decision to leave the UPND was not out of persuasion by any leaders but the events of the UPND convention. “The issues they realised were blatant tribalism that was exhibited by the UPND from the time Mr Mazoka passed away right up to and through the general assembly,” he stated. “The group that left also cited the violence and corruption at the general assembly. He stated that to this day members of the UPND were facing charges of violence in the courts of law.

Situla added that it was understandable why the UPND wanted ULP members back into the party, which is not as it was before. He stated that the two parties could only work together in the near future if the UPND joined the fresh, ‘baggage free’ ULP. “Even then they would have to come on an individual basis, as there are certain men and women in the UPND who do not seem to realise that they did things which were wrong. For the UPND to expect anything else would really be wishful thinking on their part. The doors of ULP are open for people who are good within the UPND to come and join us. The party is fresh and without scandal and baggage,” he stated.

Situla also advised the UPND to keep chiefs out of politics. “It is unfair for the UPND to try and state that the chiefs in Western Province would like us to join UPND. This is a very crude and unfortunate lie,” said Situla.

On Friday, UPND sources told The Post that some senior officials were making manoeuvres to have Sikota back into the party. Meanwhile, ULP provincial trustee Marjorie Sunga and ULP provincial chairlady Felistus Kalembula said the party could not go back to the UPND because they had confidence in their leader Sakwiba Sikota. And ULP national chairperson Clementina Chipeta said the ULP was better ofF without the alliance with the Patriotic Front.

Labels: SATA, ULP, UPND

posted by MrK @ 9:59 AM