Prof Chirwa vows to go for MMD presidency
Prof Chirwa vows to go for MMD presidencyBy Lambwe Kachali
Wednesday January 02, 2008 [03:00]
I AM going ahead to contest the MMD presidency despite President Levy Mwanawasa brushing me aside, MMD presidential aspirant Professor Clive Chirwa has declared. And Prof Chirwa said he met UPND president Hakainde Hichilema and Patriotic Front (PF) president Michael Sata because they are Zambian citizens.
President Mwanawasa in an exclusive interview in Mfuwe with The Post managing editor Amos Malupenga said he was against Prof Chirwa and that he commands a lot of support, saying none of his supporters would support Prof Chirwa.
President Mwanawasa further said Prof Chirwa’s meeting with Hichilema and Sata was suspicious.
But in a telephone interview from the United Kingdom, Prof Chirwa said President Mwanawasa’s statement was extremely unfortunate. Prof Chirwa advised President Mwanawasa to be tolerant and accommodate anybody with intentions of contesting the MMD presidency.
“The President’s statement is extremely unfortunate that he has brushed me aside…as one member within the MMD. What should be done is for him to say, yes Prof Chirwa is an MMD candidate, and he has come forward in a democratic party. He should have said that everybody is allowed to do that but I have my own preferred choice that I want to become president. Brushing me out like that is not good,” Prof Chirwa said. “What wrong have I done for the President not to allow me to become MMD presidential candidate, first of all? All I have done is that I have put my name forward as a candidate for MMD.
Therefore, it would have been nice for President Mwanawasa to diplomatically say, okay, I have my own preferred candidate but everybody interested within the party should bring their candidature forward. That should have been the words from the President rather than scaring me.”
He said he did not want to involve President Mwanawasa the time he declared his candidature because he knew that the convention was still away from taking place.
“There is diplomatic language which is supposed to be used in such particular cases. So far, I have not tried to involve President Mwanawasa because I understand who he is and therefore, I want to make sure that before I start involving him in, we are near to the convention, where I will be presenting my case,” he said.
Prof Chirwa said he would not look back because his objectives were to serve Zambia.
He said Zambia had many problems, which needed to be addressed; saying his vision for the country was strong, effective and efficient.
“I have seen in many countries where the incumbent president may support his preferred person, but does not prevent other candidates from contesting positions of their choice.
This is a democratic society and my decision is a personal and national cause. I have policies to take this country far much further than where we are now. It’s not all about money, it’s not about where you come from, but it’s about who is gonna take this country, truly drive this country from where it is to far much ahead,” Prof Chirwa said. “And also to see that this country becomes one of the most developed countries in the world. This is what I am talking about. I am talking about bringing workable policies and answers to problems our society is facing.”
On President Mwanawasa’s remark that he had been living in a foreign environment for a long time and that he (Prof Chirwa) should not think that people are foolish or incapable to provide leadership at home, Prof Chirwa said he was coming back to Zambia to serve the country and people in general.
“There is nothing of being shy or fear when you have a vision for your country. I should not be intimidated because I have been out of the country for some time. That is not an issue. Let me tell you something Kachali, if you look at the statistics in terms of money people living outside contribute, it’s so much more. Last year alone, statistics show that over US$250 million dollars came from people living outside the country. Money is coming in as far as I can see. So, what I am saying is that I have been contributing to my country all the time in those lines.
That is point number one,” Prof Chirwa said. “Point number two, is that now I want to help my country at government level in ensuring that our riches trickle down to the poor in villages and shanty areas. These are people who have had no tangible help for a long time. That is where my focus and support is.”
Asked if he had support from Zambians and other government officials, Prof Chirwa said he was satisfied with the support he is receiving from both ordinary Zambians and MMD officials.
“I have got ministers who are giving me a lot of support. They actually call me all the time here in the UK. But that is not the case. What I mean is that support is there, but I am not supported as Clive Chirwa living outside but because Clive Chirwa has got good economic policies. And these are the policies I will put forward to save this nation from poverty,” he said.
Asked what he would do if the MMD convention is held before September 2010, as the party’s constitution does not allow someone to contest for presidency when they have not served in the party for three and above years, Prof Chirwa said if that was done then it would be clear that someone was behind to cut him off.
“Because what I have been told by some senior MMD officials is that the convention will take place in December 2010, which will mean by then I will be eligible to vie for party presidency. But if the convention is held before December 2010, then someone within the MMD system is trying to cut me off. However, I am a democrat, I will simply say no!
Since you have disqualified me, I am not going to participate in the MMD presidency, and that I am going to stand down. I am a democrat and I believe in the law and should actually be adhered to. Yes, I am not gonna go with my candidature,” Prof Chirwa said.
Asked further whether he would join other parties such as UPND or PF in an event that he is barred in the MMD, Prof Chirwa said he was not prepared to be jumping from one party to another.
“No! I will remain MMD. I have made up my decision to be an MMD member and I am going to work hard with anybody in the party because I have more respect to this party,” Prof Chirwa said.
And Prof Chirwa said he met Hichilema and Sata because he believed in politics of development and dialogue.
“When I met Honourable Hichilema and Honourable Sata, it was because they are citizens of Zambia, because they are also contributing to this country. I am not yet an MMD president, I am just a candidate and therefore there is nothing wrong meeting fellow Zambians. I actually met citizens of Zambia who according to the bill of rights in our Constitution allows everybody to meet anyone whether being a foreigner or not. And I met them on that particular basis,” Prof Chirwa said.
He said it was wrong for President Mwanawasa to suggest that he was planning to merge MMD with the opposition.
“I am not in office yet, I am just a university professor at the moment. So, I am allowed to meet anybody so that I learn one or two things from them. And doing that as an expert in learning is extremely important, really it’s very important for me to understand how our country is being portrayed to other people from different perspectives as well as in the opposition eyes,” he said.
Prof Chirwa said he would continue to meet people countrywide in an effort to identify problems they were facing.
“It’s not about merging with others at all. It’s all about learning from others, especially those who have contributed a lot to this country. These people are Zambians and being in the opposition is not a disqualification to an extent that they should not even be greeted,” said Prof Chirwa.
Labels: CLIVE CHIRWA, MMD, MWANAWASA, PRESIDENCY
posted by MrK @ 7:32 AM
7 Comments:
I can foresee the birth of another political party on Zambian soil; this time by the learned Prof. Clive Chirwa. MMD's thugs will not allow him in, and knowing our urge for power, Clive will not settle for anything less than the title of President Chirwa. Mark my words:)
Zambians. We still have a long way to go. Its not our fault that we decided to get scholarships to go study at competitive schools? Whats wrong with that? In fact it saved a Zambian government money; they cannot sponsor the brains of the likes of Clive or people with such God given gifts. Now for somebody to be "warning" the other for wanting to express their opinion is really shallow. Thats why you are having a Kenyan situation even in 2008! Watching those images unfold on Television about Kenya is mind boggling. What will it take? People we need to wake up, and for heavens sake, get civilized too! Education is the key in case somebody was wondering. Its that simple and it can be that difficult.
As a matter of fact, adding on to my earlier comment, we need as a country to raise the stakes: In order to be minister, somebody should have a master degree from UNZA or a bachelor's degree from the UK or the USA. To be BOZ governor that candidate ought to have a PhD in Economics, Accountancy, or Finance. To be president of Zambia, a PhD in Political Science, Law, Economics or Public Administration. So all those who are saying Clive will be barred should present their credentials for everybody to see or otherwise shut the fuck up Teta!
The problem is not only the undemocratic tendincies within the MMD, but also Prof Clive Chirwa himself and Zambians in general. I don't question Prof. Chirwa's abilities, but Zambians have a problem of always wanting to be the top boss. I have advised Prof Chirwa that since he has no political experience, let him start running for a parliamentary seat; learn the tricks of the trade and prove himself to the majority skeptical Zambians like myself, that he is indeed a capable politician.
The 1st anonymous above has a point when he/she says: "...and knowing our urge for power, Clive will not settle for anything less than the title of President Chirwa..." This to me is major problem we have as Zambians... We try to overestimate ourselves: "Me, I'm better than all of them and so I should be the one leading all of them". This is our problem.
We all know the MMD has never been a democratic party. Prof Chirwa should have done his ground work and if he did, he should have expected this to come. I think his strategy was to announce early his intentions and diffuse any opposition early... it may, it may not work for him. Let's wait and see. And for him to continue living in the UK even after announcing his intentions is another mistake. He should be in Zambia right now, taking all the 'punches', get swollen, become iced and become even stronger. He may be surprised in 2009 by the time he hopes to return and settle permanenetly. The Prof really needs to be smarter and time this really good - Zambia has never known democracy and relying on sympathy from fellow disporas won't do him any good. We shout here loud and no one back home listens to us, and rightly so I reckon! Let's not forget Levy himself was handipicked at dawn of the night; so I wouldn't be surprised if he hand picks somebody else.
PEACE, LOVE N' RESPECT!
Jigga man
A couple of points:
1. Being educated does not make you a good leader. A lot of people in academia actually make very poor managers, hence poor leaders.
2. Jigga is correct when he says that Prof Chirwa should have adopted a different approach. But I want to go further and suggest that he should have considered contributing in a non-political way. The problem in Zambia is that everyone wants to be a leader, no one wants to be a servant.
I hope Prof Chirwa will not try and start a new party, just to satisfy his personal quest for power. Zambia has enough political parties.
What we need is more activism outside the political process. We need to work on civil engagement, encouraging debates like this, producing research geared towards Zambian, invest back home, etc......
He is clearly not welcome in MMD, perhaps he needs to be talking to HH, who is no longer a political upstart, to become HH's running mate.
problem i see is the people who are around Levy. It happened when Sata used tactics to block everyone vaying for the presidency when it was he interested. For sure we are power hungry and people block what every strategy you use to get to the top. Mazoka's results were nullified by sata after he won as ward chairman for Bauleni where he lived.
So if people see that you are a better contender then you stand little chance.
This idea of Mwanawasa coming out in public who he supports will sway the results. Why not let Prof Chirwa stand and loose or win?
Post a Comment
Subscribe to Post Comments [Atom]
<< Home