Maravi

Ronnie dismisses Plot 1 intentions

Ronnie dismisses Plot 1 intentions
By Speedwell Mupuchi and Patson Chilemba
Sunday March 11, 2007 [02:00]

HOME Affairs minister Lieutenant General Ronnie Shikapwasha has said he has no intentions of contesting the MMD presidency. And MMD spokesperson Ben Tetamashimba has said there will be a big fight for the MMD presidency. In an interview in Lusaka last week, Lt Gen Shikapwasha refuted statements linking him to be among those desirous of taking over from President Mwanawasa as MMD president. When asked about it, Lt Gen Shikapwasha remarked: "What? No, no. I don't have those intentions. Ask the others who are being mentioned."

Sources within MMD have disclosed that Lt Gen Shikapwasha was seriously in contention for the MMD presidency. "He has even started working on the ground. Others include our own national secretary Dr Katele Kalumba who has regrouped supporters from Eastern Province and Western Province. For Western Province he is taking advantage of the fact that his wife (Lumba) comes from there," the source said. The source said even first lady Maureen Mwanawasa had intentions but President Mwanawasa had disapproved the idea on the basis that the whole issue would be construed as a family affair. The source indicated that other than Lt Gen Shikapwasha, other cabinet ministers said to have interest in the MMD presidency include mines minister Dr Kalombo Mwansa, tourism minister Kabinga Pande, finance minister Ng'andu Magande, science and technology minister Dr Brian Chituwo and energy minister Felix Mutati.

Others said to be eyeing the MMD presidency are party national chairman Michael Mabenga who has been said to be seriously campaigning, losing MMD Munali parliamentary candidate Captain Austin Chewe and former Constitution Review Commission (CRC) chairperson Willa Mumg'omba. "It will be explosive as we approach the convention. All these are interested," the source said. President Mwanawasa during the MMD card renewal exercise in Lusaka early this year said he was not favouring any of the individuals he was accused of supporting.

He advised the party to find his successor and to exercise care in the process. And Tetamashimba advised party members not to elect leaders that have been convicted of corruption adding that if such happened he would leave the MMD. In an interview, Tetamashimba said there would be a big fight for the presidency. "There is going to be a very big fight for the presidency in MMD but a bigger fight for a presidential candidate," Tetamashimba said. "I know that when GBM (Geoffrey Bwalya Mwamba) made the statement, Kavindele and Sondashi also made. So those have come out and that is enough message to start looking to them whether those are really the people that should take the mantle. Party members should scrutinise those who have declared their intentions."

Tetamashimba, who is also works and supply deputy minister, pointed out that those who had declared their intentions should be reminded that even though they won the party presidency, they would not be automatic candidates to contest the republican presidency. "They think by becoming president of the MMD then you are an automatic candidate. They should not be too confident that they will be presidential candidates. They will have to contest two elections...one for party presidency and another for presidential candidate," Tetamashimba said. "And also when big lions are fighting a small lion not even known might just come on the scene and take the mantle." Tetamashimba said he would de-campaign any corrupt leader if the same was elected president of MMD. "If a convict becomes president that will be my last time in MMD," Tetamashimba said. "If you are a convict in corruption Tetamashimba will not support you and I will go to the people of North-Western Province and tell them that a corrupt person has been elected, don't vote for him."

Labels: MMD, SUCCESSION

posted by MrK @ 5:24 AM