Maravi

Opposition needs to unite, insists Sata

Opposition needs to unite, insists Sata
By Masuzyo Chakwe and Florence Bupe
Sat 22 Jan. 2011, 04:01 CAT

MICHEAL Sata has insisted that the opposition needs to unite against President Rupiah Banda and the MMD.

Reacting to FDD leader Edith Nawakwi, who asked the PF leader to first tell Zambians what was happening in the pact before he could appeal to other parties, Sata said it was important for Zambians to unite.

National Revolution Party (NRP) president Cozmo Mumba said the invitation from Sata was welcome and should be embraced by all opposition political parties.

"In 2008, we made a serious mistake by endorsing Rupiah Banda's candidature. I was one of the political party leaders who declared to support him in the 2008 general elections but I have now realised that the endorsement of Rupiah Banda has greatly damaged this nation," he said.
Mumba said a lot of injury had been caused to the country during President Banda's reign, with vices like violence on the rise.

"We have seen a lot of damage to the country's development process. Violence and bad governance are the order of the day," Mumba said. "We need a change of government to redeem this country."
Mumba said there was need to convene an indaba for all political parties to strategise on ways of ousting the MMD from power.

He said factors such as who would lead the opposition were secondary, stressing that the core purpose should be the redemption of Zambia from the grip of the ruling MMD.

"We urgently need to have an indaba to map the way forward for this year's general elections. I will soon be meeting Sata so that we discuss the possibility of working together as an opposition force," said Mumba.

Sata last weekend said there was need for unity among the country's opposition.

But Nawakwi said Sata should state what the agenda was for unity so that people could understand where this was coming from.

Labels: EDITH NAWAKWI, MICHAEL SATA, PF-UPND

posted by MrK @ 3:59 AM