(LUSAKATIMES) HH refuses to withdraw from the Presidential race

HH refuses to withdraw from the Presidential race
TIME PUBLISHED - Monday, April 25, 2011, 3:13 pm

UNITED Party for National Development (UPND) president Hakainde Hichilema has reiterated that he will run in the presidential race this year again and has refused to withdraw from this year’s presidential elections.

Reacting to a call made by the New Generation Party (NGP) President Humphrey Siulapwa for him to not take party in the presidential race, Mr Hichilema said that Mr Siulappwa was entitled to make his comments as Zambia is a democracy where people are free to express their views.

Mr. Siulapwa, speaking today at a public rally in Nampundwe, urged Mr. Hichilema to consider working with the ruling MMD. NGP President said that Mr. Hichilema should not waste his resources campaigning as a presidential candidate.

Mr. Siulapwa also said that Mr. Hichilema should also consider contesting as a Member of Parliament so that he could learn matters of national governance in parliament.

Mr. Siulapwa observed that the UPND President has also lost his standing in Southern Province after 41 chiefs pledged their support for President Rupiah Banda during this year’s elections.