Maravi

Hichilema slams plan to pick Sakwiba as vice-president

Hichilema slams plan to pick Sakwiba as vice-president
By Patson Chilemba
Tue 20 Oct. 2009, 09:34 CAT

UPND president Hakainde Hichilema has said President Rupiah Banda’s consideration to replace Vice-President George Kunda with United Liberal Party (ULP) president Sakwiba Sikota is a panic reaction.

And PF leader Michael Sata has said President Banda’s consideration to appoint Sikota as vice-president is a good lesson to Vice-President Kunda not to rely on the President.

In an interview after the celebratory mass that was held at newly-elected parliamentarian, Geoffrey Bwalya Mwamba’s residence to celebrate his victory in the Kasama Central by-election, Hichilema said President Banda’s consideration to appoint Sikota would not change anything because people had already made a decision to move away from the MMD to the PF-UPND pact.

“You can’t panic react like he President Banda is doing. It doesn’t help. Absolutely. It will not deliver anything. You know when you are falling; every branch you touch just goes down with you. He touches that branch it falls. It will not help him,” he said.

Hichilema said the Zambian people wanted change to the pact which he said was expected to help unite Zambia, saying on a united platform the nation would be delivered economically and socially.

He said the MMD’s loss of some wards which they previously held all pointed to the fact that the ground had shifted and the writing was on the wall.

“I think that anyone who argues against that decision people have made, I think he is not a good leader. A good leader must follow and listen to what people are saying. And I heard Southern Province minister Daniel Munkombwe say that I am campaigning in the wards.

I feel sorry for him, he doesn’t understand that the votes are in the wards,” said Hichilema. “The councillor’s vote is in the ward, the MPs vote is in the ward, the presidential vote is in the ward. So where else can you campaign if not in the ward? I guess he’s just a tired old man.”

And Sata said President Banda’s consideration to appoint Sikota was a big lesson to Vice-President Kunda.

“Mr Rupiah Banda is the President. He is free to do anything so that George Kunda can learn that he can’t rely on Rupiah Banda, his all weather friend,” he said.

On works and supply minister Mike Mulongoti’s assertion that PF was jealous of former president Frederick Chiluba’s relationship with MMD, Sata said he did not enjoy Chiluba’s stealing patronage.

“Mulongoti is a … and he supports other criminals, full stop. There is nothing to be jealous about. I did not enjoy his Chiluba’s stealing patronage, distinguish that. I enjoyed a sincere innocent patronage, not stealing patronage. If Mulongoti wants to enjoy theft, let him go ahead,” said Sata. “But the whole point, Mulongoti, what is he justifying? Is he justifying people stealing? Is Mulongoti justifying stealing?”

Meanwhile, Mwamba prayed for God to give him wisdom so that he could serve the people with justice, and to know the difference between good and evil.
GBM thanked God for the heavy responsibility that had been bestowed on him to serve the people of Kasama.

“Just as Solomon cried to You when he was made king, so I come to You. Give me wisdom to serve Your people with justice, to know the difference between good and evil. Correct me when I go wrong, lift me whenever I fall. This is my prayer Lord. Lord hear us,” prayed GBM.

Several songs and dances of celebration characterised the mass which was held at GBM’s residence such that at one point the newly elected member of parliament danced vigorously, much to the delight of several congregants.
After the mass, the congregants were treated to a buffet.

Some notables who attended the celebration included Sata, Hichilema, Dr Nkandu Luo, several members of parliament from both PF and the UPND as well as the PF’s central committee and UPND’s national management committee officials.

Labels: HAKAINDE HICHILEMA, MMD, SAKWIBA SIKOTA, SATA, ULP, UPND

posted by MrK @ 5:49 PM