President Banda says he is ready to take up the challenge of the position of party president at the MMD national convention to be held in Kabwe.
The President said this in Lusaka on March 25 when he successfully filed nomination papers for party president at Mulungushi International Conference Centre.
“I have successfully filed in my nomination and I am ready for battle. As you can see, I already have my campaign team, so I am ready for the convention and the ultimate election,” he said.
Mr Banda, who was accompanied by First Lady Thandiwe, arrived at the venue around 09:30 hours.
President Banda’s candidature was proposed by MMD North-Western Province chairman Pinakin Patel and seconded by Central Province chairlady Grace Mulando. His election agent is Central Province MMD chairman Boyd Mutonka.
Meanwhile, MMD member Nason Msoni has dropped his intention to run for the MMD presidency.
Mr Msoni said in a statement issued on March 25 that in the near future, he will join hands with other politicians seeking the way forward for Zambia.
The electoral commission, chaired by Lusaka lawyer Christopher Mundia, scrutinised President Banda’s membership and also checked his receipt for the nomination fee of K10 million before allowing him to leave.
“You will be hearing from the electoral commission soon,” Mr Mundia told President Banda.
Mulungushi International Conference Centre was a hive of activity as hundreds of MMD members turned up in solidarity with the President.
President Banda was in high spirits and took some time to greet most of the members and danced to a popular MMD tune, chwelela.
And Vice-President George Kunda also filed his nomination papers for the position of party vice-president. Mr Kunda, who was escorted by his wife, Ireen, filed his papers around 12:00 hours.
Others who filed their nominations included Minister of Information and Broadcasting Services Lieutenant-General Ronnie Shikapwasha (chairman security), Minister of Works and Supply Gabriel Namulambe (elections chairman), Minister of Livestock and Fisheries Bradford Machila (chairman lands), Minister of Local Government and Housing Brian Chituwo (chairman local government), Minister of Mines and Minerals Development Maxwell Mwale (chairman mines).
Minister of Education Dora Siliya (chairperson publicity and information), Minister of Science, Technology and Vocational Training Peter Daka (chairman transport), Minister of Labour and Social Security Austin Liato (chairman labour), Minister of Finance and National Planning Situmbeko Musokotwane (chairman finance and economics), Minister of Agriculture and Co-operatives Eustarckio Kazonga (chairman agriculture) and Deputy Speaker of the National Assembly Mutale Nalumango (chairperson labour) also filed their nominations.
Others are Deputy Minister of Local Government and Housing Moses Muteteka (national youth chairman), Lusaka businessman Goodward Mulubwa (national treasurer), Kelvin Sampa (national youth chairman), Sylvia Masebo (national women’s chairperson), acting MMD national secretary Chembe Nyangu (deputy national secretary).
Dr Musokotwane, Mr Machila and Mrs Nalumango entertained MMD cadres as they danced to the amusement of all.
And later in the day, Minister of Commerce, Trade and Industry Felix Mutati filed nomination papers for the position of national chairman for commerce, trade and industry, along with Southern Province Minister Elijah Muchima for national chairman for defence and security.
Deputy Minister of Community Development and Social Services Friday Malwa filed national chairman for art and culture and former Copperbelt MMD provincial chairman Terence Findlay for national trustee.
Meanwhile, President Banda has said Government supports the stance taken by the African Union (AU) concerning the bombings in Libya.
“Zambia is a member of the African Union which supports the resolutions of the United Nations (UN) Security Council, and I am a member of the AU,” he said.
in Mumbwa being implemented by the Mumbwa district council.
[ Zambia Dail Mail ]
Who are the nominees?
Waste of time and resources, ati democracy where? Just cheating ourselves
When will this circus end?
These people in MMD are as confused as Sadaam Husein was in his last days. Who is game against? Why is God so cruel agains us as to give people who look and think like a frog to rule us?
You are game against yourself!
Hahahahaha. Funny chaps. Honestly you talk about You being game. You are all alone in the race. At least KK used to compete against frogs not you. Shame upon you old man.
Still far much better than Sata. What has Sata done in his party to show that there is democracy?
Hahahaha hehehehe hihihihi kikikiki, ba PF your bitterness is really eating you away like a cancer!
Please look after yourselves well, whether you turn into frogs or not you need to be defeated soundly in 2011.
“Successfully filed in nomination”. Was there anything at all to prevent him? Is it possible for a sole candidate to fail to file nominations??
“UPND IS NO LONGER IN RACE FOR WESTERN PROVINCE” – SAYS INDUNA IMBWAE.
ALL HAVE SEEN HOW BARBALIC RUPIAH IS,HE CHASES ALL OPPONENTS AND SAY IM READY.
DONT VOTE FOR SMALL TRIBAL CLUBS,EMULATE WESTERN PROVINCE.
ONLY SATA AND PF THE LARGEST OPPOSITION PARTY WILL BRING THE BADLY WANTED CHANGE. VIVA WIND OF CHANGE AND MICHAEL SATA COME 2011.
BE PART OF THE BALLOT REVOLUTION. PABWATOOOOOOO,MWAMUKOLOOOOOOO 2011.
Ba Mwisa nabasenda MMD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Ok MMD ,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,
am just worried, who is rupiah competing agaisnt for him to say am game? this man should do a simple course in logic at unza so that he learns how to think!!!thi is a sheer waste of money,what do u think this uselless body ecz will say apart from saying u r through???Mulimbwa sana bafikala lekeni Sata ateke!
IFWE NI PA BWATO CHABE
At least KK was decent enough to put a frog
MMD piece of shit !!! pf rocks and Sata is in kitwe!!!
Funny how:
1. Most of the portfolios are corresponding to the government potfolios that people hold at the discretion of the President.
2. Most of the candidates are un-opposed.
How can one like Chituwo be Local Government minister and then want to chair Local government issues in the party? His interest should be Health.
THIS IS ALL A FARCE. I am glad I am not a member of these silly political parties in Zambia.
This chap Ala Bee is contesting against nothing but air – not even against a frog!