Maravi

By-election losses have raised concern in the MMD – Nyangu

By-election losses have raised concern in the MMD – Nyangu
By Patson Chilemba
Thu 12 Aug. 2010, 04:00 CAT

FILE PICTURE: President Rupiah Banda during a campaign in Luena MMD acting national secretary Chembe Nyangu has admitted that the ruling party’s parliamentary by-election losses have raised a bit of concern.

Commenting on the MMD losses of five out of the seven parliamentary by-elections which had been held since President Rupiah Banda assumed office, Nyangu, who is the substantive MMD deputy national secretary, said the ruling party was working on addressing the issues which led to the losses in the by-elections.

“It the MMD parliamentary losses does raise a bit of concern. That is why we are working on it vigorously. But I must say that we’ve done very well in the local government. That is the base of the election. We actually wrestled three from the opposition. As for the parliamentary, of course we are not happy that we lost,” Nyangu said.

“I think in my opinion we are getting there. We are still hopeful that we will get most of these constituencies because for ADD president and Luena member of parliament Charles Milupi, he will be concentrating on the presidency, so us now we are going to get in and get that Luena seat.”

On former president Frederick Chiluba’s involvement in the MMD campaigns, Nyangu said the MMD would use Chiluba effectively in the 2011 campaigns. He said despite the party losing in areas where Chiluba campaigned, the former president was a plus to the MMD.

“If he supports us he is a bonus. So we would like to urge him to continue. And next year he will be there to do it for the MMD,” he said. “I am not ashamed to say that because Dr Chiluba is a founding father. Even you when you grow up, do you think you can forget your grandchildren?”

Nyangu also said he considered Kafulafuta MMD member of parliament George Mpombo and his Chilanga counterpart Ng’andu Magande not to be members of the ruling party.
He said formally getting rid of the two from the party called for a rigorous process.

“It’s a process. I don’t want people to win these cases on technicalities,” said Nyangu.

Labels: BY-ELECTIONS, CHEMBE NYANGU

posted by MrK @ 4:23 PM