Maravi

MMD presidential campaign worries Mwanawasa

MMD presidential campaign worries Mwanawasa
By Namakau Nalumango in Ndola
Monday April 02, 2007 [04:00]

PRESIDENT Levy Mwanawasa yesterday expressed worry at the continued jostling for power within the ruling party. And four Copperbelt Patriotic Front (PF) mayors left Ndola International Airport where they had gone to welcome President Mwanawasa after MMD cadres started singing songs against PF.

Speaking on arrival at Ndola International Airport, President Mwanawasa expressed disappointment with people who were fighting to succeed him at the expense of development.

"My mistake was when I said you can start campaigning. I didn't realise it would take such a dimension," he said. President Mwanawasa suggested that instead of the party holding the convention two years before elections, it would be held one year before.

"I propose that instead of us holding the convention two years before the election, it should now be held a year before the elections. This will be an added advantage because it will slow down the bickering. If you elect someone two years before election time, they will be left with no money to campaign with and this will leave room for unnecessary attacks," he said.

President Mwanawasa also said if those fighting to succeed him had already spent money and the national executive committee decided not to pick them, they would have wasted their money. He said he was impressed with the Ndola party leadership for being committed.

"I am impressed with the Ndola leadership for being more committed than ever before," he said

President Mwanawasa also said he had decided to officiate at the Zambia Golf Open because the country was being showcased to the international community. He said with 140 international golfers participating, Zambia was on the golfing map and that the people participating in the tournament would share their experiences while in the country.

"I am happy that they have come at the time when we are peaceful. This is as it should be," he said

President Mwanawasa also said he was glad that Zambians continued giving him encouragement by putting him in their prayers.


"My job takes me away from my family. I used to complain to my mother and she used to say nkoyoko. That is why I stood to be elected as President. I'm glad Zambia gave me encouragement by putting me in their prayers which is enough rest," President Mwanawasa said.

He also announced his plan to officiate at the Albidon Nickel Mines in Mazabuka tomorrow saying government was in a hurry to bring development to all parts of the country.

And four Copperbelt mayors left the airport where they had gone to welcome the President after MMD cadres started chanting slogans against PF. Later at the Civic Centre, Ndola mayor Anthony Katonga, who was speaking on behalf of the other mayors, said they decided to leave the airport because the atmosphere was not conducive.

"We were showered with insults. They were insulting the PF leadership which included us mayors," Katongo said.

The mayors from Kitwe, Chingola, Mufulira and one deputy mayor from Chililabombwe said the MMD cadres always attacked them each time they went to welcome the President at the airport.

"This is not the first time this kind of thing has happened. We brought this matter to the attention of the party leadership who promised to do something. Apparently nothing has changed," they said.

Katonga said people appeared not to have accepted them as duly elected mayors as they were thought to have occupied their positions through the back door.

Katonga said the mayors were yet to decide whether they would carry on with their civic duties although they were willing to work.

However, local government and housing minister Sylvia Masebo condemned the MMD cadres' behaviour. She said mayors had a civic duty to perform and they should not be hindered by anyone, including MMD cadres, as they performed their functions.

Masebo said she had personally apologised to the mayors and assured them that such an unfortunate incident will not happen again. She said she had discussed the matter with the MMD leadership who regretted the incident and assured her that nothing like that will happen again.

MMD deputy national secretary major Richard Kachingwe condemned the cadres behaviour which he described as unfortunate. He said President Mwanawasa was also briefed about the incident and he condemned it because MMD and himself stood for co-existence. Major Kachingwe said he had apologised to the mayors who accepted his apology on behalf of the MMD.

"This will not happen again, I can assure you," he said.

Labels: ELECTIONS, MMD, PF

posted by MrK @ 3:43 PM