Prof Chirwa joins Pact

Prof Chirwa joins Pact
By Amos Malupenga
Sun 31 Jan. 2010, 04:01 CAT

Professor Clive Chirwa yesterday joined opposition PF-UPND after quitting the ruling MMD. Announcing his move to join the opposition, Professor Chirwa declared that the pact through UPND and that they will scoop all the nine provinces in next year's general elections because it is strong enough.

He said his resignation from the MMD was a great relief and opened up his route to joining Zambians who are serious about permanently moving the people out of poverty. He said based on his goals and policies for the regeneration of Zambia, he had decided to join the pact through the UPND in the struggle to liberate Zambians “from the current inert government”.

Professor Chirwa said he had a tele-conference from London on Friday with UPND president Hakainde Hichilema along with his national executive committee (NEC) members.

“I opened up to them and gave them my reasons for joining their esteemed party,” Professor Chirwa said. “The UPND NEC welcomed me with open arms and the warmth they transmitted gave me great hope that at last I have joined a team that is committed to solving Zambia's problems, a fundamental ethos of my campaign.”

Professor Chirwa said his joining the UPND would materialise his ambition to see Zambia occupy a place at the high table of international society where it would dictate its future and where its people would have ample food, good schools, best hospitals, best infrastructure and an economy magnitised by industrialisation.

“That day is quickly approaching as UPND helps Zambia achieve that,” Professor Chirwa said. “The policies UPND is pursuing are right for Zambia and they are in keeping with what I have always said to my fellow Zambians in lectures, speeches and writings.

The pact between UPND and PF is strong and I joining them pact under the umbrella of UPND will strengthen it further. I believe my contributions to the pact will augment the already successful campaign strategy that is bearing fruits. I believe the pact will scoop all nine provinces come 2011 and I am glad to be part of that.”

Professor Chirwa thanked Hichilema and the UPND NEC for embracing him and assured that he would do everything in his power to necessitate the PF-UPND pact victory next year.

Professor Chirwa announced his resignation from the MMD last week in a letter to party national secretary Katele Kalumba on grounds that the MMD is corrupt and facing death.