Maravi

UPND senior officials want Sikota back

UPND senior officials want Sikota back
By Bivan Saluseki and Nomusa Michelo
Saturday February 17, 2007 [02:00]

Some senior UPND officials are making manoeuvres to have United Liberal Party (ULP) president Sakwiba Sikota back into the party. UNPD deputy president Richard Kapita yesterday said although he was not aware of the manoeuvres, as a general principle, people who left the party after the UPND congress last year were being talked to with a view to getting them back to the party. He said the door was open for Sikota to return to UPND.

And when contacted for comment on the matter, Sikota smiled and said he would issue a comprehensive statement at a later date. "There has been too much of ULP in the press, let people rest. I'll issue a statement later," said Sikota. According to UPND sources, some party officials want Sikota to get back to UPND and reconcile with party president Hakainde Hichilema especially after Patrick Chisanga resigned as UPND vice-president. "In fact, even some traditional leaders from Western Province are for the idea that Mr. Sikota begins to work with Mr. Hichilema since he (Sikota) is slowly becoming solitary," sources said.

The source said Sikota had been approached by some UPND emissaries over the matter. "But so far, Mr Sikota is reluctant; he doesn't seem to be for the idea of going back to UPND," the source said. However, Kapita said Sikota was welcome to UPND if he wanted to get back. Kapita said in a big party like UPND, there could be some individuals who had taken it upon themselves to try and convince some people to get back to UPND.

"As a general principle, we are talking to anybody in different political parties and even those who went away after the congress," he said. Acting ULP Western Province chairman Simasiku Kalumiana said Sikota had a lot of support in Western Province. "The challenge before us is to double our efforts so that we can reach all these people," he said.

Kalumiana said ULP would have to consult its supporters in the province on whatever they did. He said although unity was good, it was not something the party could rush into.

Labels: SAKWIBA SIKOTA, ULP, UPND

posted by MrK @ 3:00 PM