Maravi

Chiluba is overestimating his influence in MMD – Mpombo

Chiluba is overestimating his influence in MMD – Mpombo
By Patson Chilemba
Wed 24 Feb. 2010, 08:30 CAT

George Mpombo said former president Frederick Chiluba is overestimating his influence in the MMD. KAFULAFUTA MMD member of parliament George Mpombo yesterday observed that former president Frederick Chiluba is overestimating his influence in the MMD.

Reacting to Chiluba's statement that now was the time for President Rupiah Banda to be elected both party and Republican President, Mpombo said Chiluba should be aware that he no longer carries the same influence he used to carry in the MMD.

"There are no such positions for sacred cows in the MMD. The party talks about free competition. President Chiluba may be overestimating his influence in the MMD because, you see, a candidate is the one that is fully supported by every rank and file in terms of membership.

If they impose Mr Banda as president, I can assure you that the results will be too ghastly to contemplate," Mpombo said.

"He Chiluba no longer wields the same kind of influence that he once had, that he must be able to recognise. And also it is very, very clear that Mr Banda is not winnable. He is not a candidate who can carry the day and anybody supporting Mr Banda is simply wasting his time."

Mpombo said it would be a walk-over victory for the opposition should the MMD make the mistake of adopting President Banda to stand as president. He said there was nothing President Banda had done to justify him getting another term of office.

Mpombo said Chiluba should be reminded of the consequences he would face if the opposition won the elections, especially that he was now actively campaigning for President Banda.

He said there had been a tragic leadership failure in the MMD ever since President Banda took charge of the party and nation.

"The agriculture policy in rural areas under his regime has crumbled. That is one area we used to get support from. The recent election in Kasama and in Solwezi, those are major barometers any serious politician must be able to look at," said Mpombo.

"What kind of influence will Mr Chiluba have in North Western Province, in Western Province and in Southern Province? So he should in my view as former head of state distance himself from these small politics."

Addressing the press at his Kabulonga residence on Sunday, Chiluba said the MMD needed to rekindle its 1991 spirit to ensure that President Banda was elected party and Republican President.

Labels: CHILUBA, GEORGE MPOMBO, MMD

posted by MrK @ 4:55 PM