Maravi

Musonda insists on challenging Kunda

Musonda insists on challenging Kunda
By George Chellah
Sat 19 Mar. 2011, 04:01 CAT

MMD national youth chairman Patrick Musonda has refused to step aside for Vice-President George Kunda for the position of party vice-president at the forthcoming convention in Kabwe.

Well-placed sources within the MMD yesterday disclosed that Musonda, who is also former member of parliament for Kabwe Central, has vowed to challenge Vice-President Kunda for the MMD vice-presidency.

“With the suspension of Mike Mulongoti from the party pending expulsion at the national convention, we thought people would learn a lesson and stay away from contesting the party vice-presidency, which has been reserved for Vice-President Kunda, but that doesn't seem to be the case,” the source said. “It appears some people within the party, such as Patrick Musonda are still determined to fight for the position of MMD vice-presidency despite what recently happened to Mulongoti.”

The source revealed that Musonda had even defied a request from a very senior party member for him to step aside.

“We all can't understand what is propelling the young man because on Wednesday this week, he had a meeting with acting party national secretary Mr Chembe Nyangu at the party secretariat. If you want you can ask Mr Nyangu if Musonda hadn't been to his office this week,” the source said. “We understand Mr Nyangu tried to advise Musonda against challenging Vice-President Kunda at the forthcoming party national convention but Musonda totally rejected Mr Nyangu's advice. He remained adamant and vowed to proceed with his intentions.”

The source disclosed that Nyangu explained to Musonda that the party had resolved to back Vice-President Kunda's candidature because he had delivered.

“But the young man totally refused to give in and clearly indicated that he would go ahead and contest,” the source said.

The source said Musonda is believed to have been mobilising and campaigning for the party vice-presidency for sometime now.

By press time, Musonda's phone was off.

And when contacted for comment, Nyangu rudely refused to be drawn in the matter before hanging up the phone.

“Please, don't bother me I am in a meeting,” Nyangu said.

During the last MMD membership and card renewal exercise at Lusaka's Mulungushi International Conference Centre (MICC), President Rupiah Banda fired Mulongoti as works and supply minister and revoked his nomination as a member of parliament.

This was after Mulongoti declared his candidature for the MMD vice-presidency.

Labels: GEORGE KUNDA

posted by MrK @ 2:24 PM