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UPND is no longer in race for W/Province - Induna Imbwae

UPND is no longer in race for W/Province - Induna Imbwae
By George Chellah
Sat 26 Mar. 2011, 04:00 CAT

UPND is no longer in the race for Western Province, says Induna Imikendu Imbwae. Commenting on the UPND's reaction to the recent defections involving top leaders in the provincial executive committee, Induna Imbwae, who was Hakainde Hichilema's campaign manager for Western Province in the 2008 presidential by-election, said the situation on the ground was now different for UPND.

“UPND is no longer in the race for Western Province. Right now, I am having about 160 cards of UPND members defecting to PF. In fact, the Nalikwanda constituency executive has resigned. So those talking about Western Province from UPND are liars. We shall meet on the ground if they think they are strong,” Induna Imbwae said.

“Even this move to All People's Congress (APC) they have made it's a non-starter here. In fact, right now am with a lady APC featured as councillor for Mulambwa ward in 2006, she has also defected to PF. She is here just next to me do you want to talk to her?”

He said Hichilema's lieutenants were cheating over Western Province.

“We shall be going to Nalikwanda constituency tomorrow to receive former UPND members and this is where Sibote Sibote UPND national chairperson for logistics, who was yesterday quoted in the state media denying the defections wants to stand,” Induna Imbwae said.

“We will see how he is going to stand and who is going to vote for him. Sibote and others are cheating him Hichilema, they are not going anywhere that's why we are saying we shall meet on the ground if they think they are strong.”

Induna Imbwae said UPND should not cheat itself that only two people had defected because the numbers kept growing.

“There is no way those people can say some of us are disgruntled politicians. In the first place, I was appointed in the interim committee of UPND on the 5th October 2010 as trustee special duties,” Induna Imbwae said. “But now I don't know if they would have given me special duties if I were disgruntled. Those comments are coming from disgruntled elements themselves.”

Induna Imbwae said he joined UPND with 1,800 members from the MMD.

“On top of that, during the by-election for the presidency in 2008, I was given the position of campaign manager for Hichilema in Western Province and I gave them a lot of people. In fact, that was the time when UPND was nothing in Western Province after the differences with United Liberal Party (ULP),” Induna Imbwae said.

“It was myself and Colonel Best Makumba who brought in a lot of people into UPND after the differences with ULP. It's a lie for somebody to call us disgruntled more especially if it comes from Sibote. All we can say is we shall meet on the ground. Otherwise, all of us who defected are here.”

On Wednesday, members of the UPND top leadership in Western Province resolved to endorse Michael Sata for presidency after the break up of the Pact saying UPND president Hakainde Hichilema never consulted them when he decided to pull out of the Pact.

The UPND leaders that endorsed Sata included former Sikongo UPND member of parliament Col. Best Makumba, who is also a member of the UPND National Management Committee, David Muzinda provincial vice-chairman, Induna Imikendu Imbwae provincial trustee - special duties, Teddy Chimbinde provincial publicity secretary, Candy Mundia provincial youth chairman, Rosemary Munalula provincial vice-secretary for women and Friday Makondo constituency youth chairman for Mongu.

And on Thursday, UPND Nalikwanda constituency officials defected to PF.

The officials that defected are; Arista Muyumbwa constituency chairman, Oscar Kabutu constituency secretary, Reuben Lubasi constituency treasurer, Geogina Nakena constituency chairlady, Mbingila Malesu constituency vice-chairlady, Ernest Silukena Nakanya ward chairman and Kawila Samazuka Nakanya ward secretary.

Labels: UPND, WESTERN PROVINCE

posted by MrK @ 1:55 PM