Maravi

Petitioner in limbo after Lungu's defection to PF

Petitioner in limbo after Lungu's defection to PF
By Christopher Miti in Chipata
Sun 01 Jan. 2012, 13:30 CAT

LOSING PF candidate for Msanzala Godfrey Banda has sought guidance on his election petition against Colonel Joseph Lungu who has since defected to the ruling party.

In an interview, Banda said he had also asked the party secretariat for guidance over the adoption process for candidates vying to contest the Msanzala seat that fell vacant following Col Lungu's resignation.

Both Banda and Lungu are eying the seat.

Banda said he was currently waiting for feedback from the party on the petition and the application for adoption.

"I am also interested in the Msanzala seat and that is why I was petitioning, I need that seat. You know we really suffered for that (Msanzala) seat because people in Eastern Province did not want PF. When you say you are PF, your parents will take it that you are insulting. You know that time when we were facing difficulties, I was with the party so I cannot leave it now," Banda said.

He welcomed Col Lungu in PF.

And Eastern Province Patriotic Front chairperson Lucas Phiri has dismissed reports suggesting that the ruling party had already adopted a candidate for the February 16 Msanzala by-election.

Phiri said the PF was now in the process of advertising for applications for both the Msanzala parliamentary by-election and two wards.

"I am just from Msanzala where I had gone to see how our people at the grassroots are doing. So what we have done, our secretary general advertised for anyone who wants to be a PF candidate. So speculations that PF has already adopted does not arise," Phiri said.

He said the party was expecting letters from the people that had applied for adoption adding that at the moment there were no application letters.

"I understand Col Lungu has applied but we have not yet received the letter, maybe we'll be able to see the letter in due course. Our chances of scooping the Msanzala seat stand at 99.9 per cent. I am just from there (Msanzala) and I understand how people feel about Col Lungu. They have assessed the people that have applied on MMD, they have assesses these other parties that would take part in Msanzala," Phiri said.

He said a PF candidatewould win because President Sata had performed in his first 90 days.

Labels: PF

posted by MrK @ 5:22 PM