PRESIDENT Banda has declared that he is ready to stand in the 2011 presidential elections and is confident of victory because the ruling party is more unified and better coordinated than it was in the run-up to the 2008 elections.
And former First Lady Maureen Mwanawasa re-affirmed her family’s support for the ruling party and urged it to work in unity.
Mr Banda said the ruling MMD could not win the 2008 presidential elections with a wider margin because he did not have enough time to prepare for the elections after the demise of President Mwanawasa.
He said this when he launched the MMD membership card renewal in Lusaka yesterday.
“I have never denied that I am ready for the 2011 elections. We are ready for both the elections and the national convention. When we will hold the convention is our business,” President Banda said to the jubilation of hundreds of party cadres.
He said campaign efforts for 2011 will be more harmonised, unlike in 2008 when certain people were doing their own things.
He said there will be a committee that will ensure that campaign activities are harmonised throughout the country.
It will discipline those who may want to pull in different directions.
Mr Banda said the committee will also ensure that the party speaks with one voice.
“It wasn’t like that last time because I had just come in and did not have enough time to coordinate things. However, I would like to thank you for what you did because if it was not for you, I would not have won the elections,” President Banda said.
He said the MMD government has worked hard to deliver development to the people and ensure that people have equal access to national resources regardless of who they voted for.
Mr Banda urged MMD officials not to relent in serving Zambians with passion and humility, regardless of the achievements Government has scored.
“Let’s not show arrogance to the people. I don’t like arrogant people,” he said.
He said he gets surprised by former Defence Minister George Mpombo’s verbal attacks because he did not fire him.
Mr Banda said Mr Mpombo quit on his own, but wonders why the former minister attacks him.
Mr Banda said he was chosen Republican Vice-President because the late President Mwanawasa saw that he was a true supporter of the party.
“I did not come from nowhere. I came into this party. I was invited to come because I was devoted to this party. I fought to be where I am today,” Mr Banda said.[quote]
Mr Banda called on the party leadership to promote unity because the ruling party can no longer tolerate politics of insults and hatred.
He said the MMD should work hard in future by-elections, saying they lost the Solwezi Central by-elections because they were divided over petty things.
The President assured Zambians they will sleep in peace next year because Government will ensure that they choose their leaders in a conducive atmosphere.
Mr Banda warned people against voting for leaders who have a track record of intimidating and hounding out political opponents because such politicians could manipulate the Constitution if voted into power.
The President said party members will be free to contest for positions at the MMD convention.
He said those who are in the habit of offending party members will only have themselves to blame if cadres bar them from attending the convention.
Mr Banda warned of disciplinary action against party cadres who are reportedly soliciting money from business houses in the name of MMD.
The President urged MMD cadres to do things correctly so that they do not provide an opportunity for the opposition to attack them.
And speaking to journalists after she renewed her membership, Mrs Mwanawasa said the MMD should unite as it cannot afford to lose focus now.
She said the party should, in the spirit of forgiveness, bring everyone on board, including the outspoken members and those considered as prodigal members.
Mrs Mwanawasa said she renewed her membership to re-confirm her family’s commitment to the party.
She, however, said as wife of the late President, she gets injured when she hears people talking about his legacy.
Meanwhile, President Banda said Patriotic Front secretary general Wynter Kabimba was expressing ignorance when he condemned his state visit to China.
The President said his trip to China was an eye-opener of how the Asian country overcame poverty.
He said it was a world-wide trend for leaders to share ideas and learn from one another.
[Zambia Daily Mail]
with chiluba NEAR??
….whilst most Zambians are getting poorer and cannot make ends meet, RB is talking about a political party getting stronger, he should have had instead talked about the country’s economic growth (if any at all). What is the problem with the Zambian leadership???? Where did you find this man hiding before bring him into GRZ??
Bwana RB you should be thankful you got sympathy votes. You are not what Zambians wanted and they will show you who they want in 2011.
where can I become an MMD member in the UK? Any info.
How old will this mug be five years from now?
Where are the young ones?
MAGANDE HAPPY WITH RB’S GOVERMENT
Former Finance and National Planning minister Ng’andu Magande has expressed happiness that the MMD government has been doing well in the last five years.
Speaking to Q fm in an interview after he renewed his MMD membership card at Mulungushi International Conference Centre yesterday, Mr. Magande said the MMD is still there because it has kept the policies that were agreed in 2005.
He said the MMD government has managed to improve the economy and to get Zambia’s debt off.
The former minster said the International Monetary Fund will continue to support Zambia because the country has good economic policies.
Recently, International Monetary Fund Managing Director was in the country and said Zambia’s economy is in the right direction.
Mr. Straus however warned the country to weigh the country’s benefits from Chinese investment.
RB is not a person to trust,non of the things he says should be trusted..same for whatever he does’s.this man before the elections said HE SHALL NOT CONTEAT THE 2011 elections,but instead wil just finish the Late president Mwanawasa’s term.now just like Chiluba has said at some point that AKAPUNA AKA KALILOWA,ala bee has felt that sweetness and now wants more at the expense of development and betterment of our economy.it’s like George Kandolo kunda,and his master hav lost touch with reality.people don’t want them in power,they are like a Tornado to our economy and our country.time for change has come..the old father should rest now and enjoy farming pa chipata.we need a strong economy not a strong political party ala,MALABISH.
#4, Try 2 Palace Gate
London
#9, 2 Palace Gate houses the Zambia High Commission it is not an MMD branch.
:-@:-@:-@:-@:-@:-@
Everyone under the employ of this regime must turn up for work with a large bottle of Vaseline. How else do you ease the pain?