Maravi

Prof Chirwa denies links with new party

Prof Chirwa denies links with new party
Written by Bivan Saluseki
Sunday, January 04, 2009 7:31:07 PM

MMD presidential aspirant Professor Clive Chirwa has said 2011 would be his time.
Dispelling reports linking him to the formation of a new party called The Citizens Democratic Party (CDP), Prof Chirwa said he had never heard of the party and that it was news to him.

"I am still and will always be in MMD. I am going on MMD ticket and I will fight my battle in MMD to get the nomination at NEC [National Executive Committee]," he said.
Prof Chirwa was confident MMD would pick him as a candidate.

"I am confident I will carry the day. Just wait till I return permanently in 2009. 2011 is my time," said Prof Chirwa.

According to the CDP, its direction is being steered by an interim committee, coordinated by ordinary citizens.

The CDP stated that this group is made up of a cross-section of the Zambian society that includes seasoned professionals, academicians, students and future politicians.
CDP states that its strategy is to build an organisation primarily centred on issues and not individuals.

"A common theme in Zambian politics is that political parties are personalised. However, individuals are corruptible and susceptible to err. Consider carefully the past and present political parties in Zambia. It is apparent that their vitality and subsequent ineffectiveness has been, and still is, a product of cults of personality," it states.

"The Citizens Democratic Party is therefore, taking the lessons from the political history of our nation and using them to build a strong political organisation whose foundation will be based on ideology and core values rather than personalities.

The CDP says it is unleashing a more effective new culture of Zambian politics.

"Be assured that the organisation has set a timetable to release detailed information on party leadership at an appropriate time. CDP expects a considerable number of requests for the subject information, but our party is blazing a new path not undertaken yet in Zambian politics," it states.

The CDP says it is focusing on 2011 elections.

Labels: CITIZENS DEMOCRATIC PARTY, CLIVE CHIRWA, MMD

posted by MrK @ 7:32 PM