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Willa Mung'omba joins MMD presidential race

Willa Mung'omba joins MMD presidential race
By Brighton Phiri, Patson Chilemba, Kelvin Tembo and Simon Mut
Thursday August 28, 2008 [04:01]

Lusaka lawyer and former Constitutional Review Commission (CRC) chairman Willa Mung'omba has joined the MMD presidential race. And MMD presidential aspirant Ng'andu Magande's campaign team has proposed a nationally televised debate about President Mwanawasa's policies among all party presidential candidates.

In his letter of application to MMD national secretary dated August 26, Mung'omba stated he was in a position to provide leadership over the country's continued search for a durable constitution.

"The rule of law, democracy, good governance and respect of human rights should be in the forefront of MMD leadership in order for us to build a just and equitable society. A free society that values human life is essential to progress. These can be assured by a predictable and respected constitution," read Mung'omba's letter in part.

"I am in a position to provide leadership in Zambia's continued search for a durable constitution. As chairman of the Mung'omba Constitution Review Commission, I remain mindful of people's aspiration for a constitution written, adopted by, and delivered to themselves. This is an urgent matter which MMD must undertake to deliver to the people of Zambia without much delay. If granted opportunity by the party, I will do that as a matter of priority."

Mung'omba stated that he had and continued to have a rare privilege of not only knowing, but of working with some former and present heads of state in Africa.

"As leader of MMD and president of Zambia, I would use my knowledge of the world to enhance Zambia's respected profile abroad," he stated. "I am pleased to offer my services to our party and through it to the People of Zambia."

Mung'omba stated that he had been an unwavering member of MMD since the time it was founded in 1991 and that in a modest way, he had continued to support the ruling party whenever he had been called upon to do so.

Mung'omba further stated that he believed that MMD was a dynamic party that should continue calling upon committed and intelligent leadership that would provide hope to Zambia's youth and future generations.

"I have been one of the few privileged Zambians to have visited and worked in all provinces, all districts and all parliamentary constituencies of this country. I have the full picture of our country's natural resources, the disparities in their exploitation and the full potential and its richness. I believe that MMD leadership must possess this picture in order to build a comprehensive framework for Zambia's development," stated Mung'omba.

And MMD presidential aspirant Ng'andu Magande's campaign team has proposed a nationally televised debate among all the party's presidential candidates.

In a press statement yesterday, former commerce minister Dipak Patel ,who is also a member of the Elect Magande Campaign Team, stated that Magande was ready, able and willing, to such a debate.

"In consultation and agreement with Hon. Magande, the MMD presidential aspirant, he and his campaign management team believes that it is not only in the interest of MMD but in the interest of all Zambians for all MMD presidential candidates to have a nationally televised debate among all candidates on 4th of September 2008, a day before the MMD national executive committee meets to decide on the MMD presidential candidate," Patel stated.

"We live in modern times and the generational shift in politics necessitates such a debate. Hon. Magande is ready, able and willing, to such a debate. We also have no doubt that all aspiring candidates would also be willing to such a debate in national interest."

Meanwhile, the MMD in Luapula Province have unanimously endorsed the candidature of Acting President Rupiah Banda as MMD presidential candidate in the presidential by-election.

Magande this week applied to be considered as MMD presidential candidate for the forthcoming presidential by-election.

And finance deputy minister Jonas Shakafuswa yesterday said he was shocked that some cabinet ministers who knew that President Mwanawasa preferred Magande as his successor were either quiet about the matter or had betrayed him even before his burial.

Labels: MMD, PRESIDENCY, WILLA MUNG'OMBA

posted by MrK @ 6:16 AM