Maravi

Rupiah is bidding goodbye - Sakeni

Rupiah is bidding goodbye - Sakeni
By Patson Chilemba in Mansa
Thu 01 Sep. 2011, 12:00 CAT

PRESIDENT Rupiah Banda came to Luapula to say goodbye as he retires to his farm because the mood in the area is hostile towards him, says Kennedy Sakeni.

Commenting on President Banda's failure to hold a rally in Mansa, the headquarters of Luapula Province, Sakeni, who is PF provincial chairperson and Mansa-central parliamentary candidate, wondered why the President failed to address a rally, or conduct any civic or political activities despite spending two nights in Mansa.

"Mr Rupiah Banda knows he has no support in Luapula and you can tell from what has gone on. His trip is a total failure. It is simple logic, MMD has no support in Luapula," Sakeni said.

"Actually he came to say bye to the people of Luapula as we retire him to his farm. We were told he would visit the markets and our people were waiting to receive him there. It's a pity he didn't turn up, I am sure he was informed. I thought since they claimed Luapula had become their stronghold, Rupiah should have at least held a rally in Mansa or even just taken a mere walk or a tour of the place just to prove to us how popular he had become."

Sakeni said President Banda hid himself like a scared child from the people in Mansa because he feared being embarrassed. He said the President failed to address a rally in Mansa or conduct any political activities for obvious reasons.

Sakeni said he was sure President Banda had seen that the reality on the ground was harsh, especially that his own parliamentary candidates were asking the people to shout the PF slogan during MMD rallies.

He challenged President Banda to point at one major development achievement his administration had achieved in Luapula Province, rather than just mentioning the construction of new classroom blocks, which did not even have teachers.

"He even feared to commission his own mobile hospitals which have been parked at Mansa General Hospital and they are now growing rust," he said. "You can imagine for months they have been saying the mobile hospitals would be commissioned when he visits the area. Now since he has visited and gone, what will happen to his mobile hospitals?"

Sakeni said the MMD kept on ferrying paid-up cadres from far-flung areas to the rallies because they did not have the people on their side.

During his campaign trail to Luapula, President Banda addressed rallies in Mambilima, Nchelenge, Chembe and Mwansabombwe as well as addressing MMD cadres who were ferried to Mansa Airport to welcome him when he arrived in the Province on Monday.

President Banda was scheduled to tour UB and New Site markets in Mansa, but could not do so.

The advance party motorcade which had rushed to the markets in anticipation of President Banda's arrival from Chipili were forced to make quick U-turns after encountering hostility from the PF-dominated markets.

A check at the two markets, found PF cadres had assembled in huge numbers anxiously waiting for President Banda's arrival.

Some senior MMD sources said the President was advised against conducting any political activities in the area because they feared the PF would make political capital on the hostility he was going to receive from the people.

Labels: KENNEDY SAKENI, LUAPULA PROVINCE, RUPIAH BANDA

posted by MrK @ 1:24 PM