A group of Zambians based in the United Kingdom (UK) says it is alarmed by the news that former president Rupiah Banda wants to return to active politics.
The group’s spokesperson Kenneth Mwansa said Mr. Banda should instead rest and allow the younger generation to take over the mantle of leadership.
In a statement issued to ZANIS in Lusaka yesterday, Mr. Mwansa has since advised Mr. Banda to play an advisory role to the party when mistakes arise.
And Mr. Mwansa said the UK based group has endorsed Dr. Nevers Mumba as the Movement for Multi-Party Democracy (MMD) candidate for the fourth coming presidential by-election.
Mr. Mwansa said the group has seen the hard work and courage exhibited by Dr. Mumba which saved the party from deregistration in March, 2012.
He said Dr. Mumba has helped to keep the party alive and that he should be given an opportunity to become republican president to usher in a new Zambia under the MMD.
I am not calling for the return of RB to active Politics but I’m equally alarmed at how people are having such an interest in trampling a persons constitutional and democratic right. RB should be left alone to decide his level of contribution to national politics. If he wants to challenge Mumba, let him do that and the Mumba faithfuls will have a say through the vote. Infact, RB can stand presidency even without a Party as long as he has the required number of nominations. If RB succeeds at that level then the Zambian voters will have the final say and not some group with no name issuing statements that contradict the constitution. Was that done in a bar while watching Zambia playing Mozambique?
I agree with you, I am not an RB supporter but the way some people are freaking out out is surprising. If this is a democracy then all those who are eligible should be left alone to exercise their right of contesting the election. So scared of an individual, ba mbuli
Every Zambians in any party of the world is at liberty to filter in their opinions on anything. However, these opinions can be taken or trashed if deemed to be unsymmetric to the party interest. Political parties are structured societal organizations with empowered oversight structures within the party such in the case of MMD being NEC. Those in NEC just like a Corporation’s BoD has the mandate to review the works of the party leadership and its membership they are upto the challenge at hand. Are they worth risking the party with or not? What dividends they made in mere parliamentary races so far? Would they increase the party prospects at national level? Based on the risk impact analysis, NEC is not bound in the nomination decision. party interest takes precedence period.
This is what happens with politics of witch hunting and the belly. The so called UK group are probably some relatives who where put in certain positions and now feel at risk of being recalled should RB make a come back. The fact that RB is sending shivers down some people’s spine could be the unlocking key of getting Zambia back to normality. I was not a fan of him but I think if MMD are smart enough, let him assist to bring the party back in power and only be mandated to serve until 2016 where the young can take over.
This is what happens with politics of witch hunting and the belly. The so called UK group are probably some relatives who were put in certain positions and now feel at risk of being recalled should RB make a comeback. The fact that RB is sending shivers down some people’s spine could be the unlocking key of getting Zambia back to normality. I was not a fan of him but I think if MMD are smart enough, let him assist to bring the party back in power and only be mandated to serve until 2016 where the young can take over. This transition period is a gift from God to clear our heads and fix our country not our people.
Ikalenifye uko ku UK naimwe, why don’t you come and contribute if you care at all?
I detest anything to do with RB and his return to active politics.what should prevail is a combination of common sense with democratic rights of course.Not just one or the other. In less than 3 years Rupiah turns 80.
Not that anyone wishes him poor health in old age, but time, one’s body begins to fail. Assuming all is well, then what unique qualities is RB basing his return on that haven’t existed in the 50yeats of his public life?
When will young people of his children and grandchildren’s age have a chance to lead?I understand that RB is motivated by two things: 1. Pure greed for power, and 2. The need to free his son Henry from self- imposed exiile before his time is finally up.
This shouldn’t be news at all I’m afraid
Thanks
Zedians, we need an UNDER-5 President. 50 year old and below just to make sure you understand. Are to going to afford, voting someone to be making decisions for the country when the individual’s life’s span is completely over.
I totally agree with you Mushota! What’s this nonsense? I also have a group of Zambians here in London who are surprised that I am not standing as president. The group want to form a party that we should register in Zambia either for the presidential by-election or the general election in 2016. The party will be called Zambia Independence Party (ZIP) More news to follow. Please, LT give us coverage on your front page.
I did not realise there is a spokesperson in the UK. In fact, there is not.
The chap is airing his own views. But to say Nevers Mumba has been endorsed???? Ubupuba lekeni please. This proxy campaigning is tasteless.
If RB wants to run, let him. People will decide, not this kakonkote in transit via UK making statements from departure lounge.
Juat look at the name Kennedy Mwansa and you have answer. Simply bemba hegemony…….let RB stand if he want, in fact he is assured of my vote to stabilise this country next two years. In fact he has my vote if he can bring the cartel to book for their many crimes including cheating the people of zambia. There is no other leader who can do that at the moment. Ba kilimetre sampa nabo niba cartel.
Comrades! Let those slaves in the UK continue with selling
Themselves for peanuts, while US here work to develop Zambia, we do not need any of misconceived slave ideas. Abash slaves, abash revisionist, abash neocolonialism, viva local zambians
Brethren, at all times be alert for the cartel. Especially when you hear the word young think deeply and think cartel. The minimum age for a presidential in zambia is 35 years and there is no upper limit. Zambians should vote on issues and not age and other stup1d factors on the cartels’ list.
Rupiah Banda has a right to stand and he should stand if he wants, its up to us as voters to determine who we want as leader for the country.
However as a country , my opinion is let us try young leaders and by young I mean fresh ideas and not recycled from the 1960s no.
Let us try leaders like Mutati Felix, HH, Nevers Mumba, and the Lungus of this world.
God bless Zambia.
RB has a democratic right to stand but morally not on the party he abandoned and just to appear when there is a bye election. There have been many parliamentary bye elections, the man could not even assist the party mobilize resources and not even a solidarity comment. But now suddenly he is alive. The party was almost deregistered and the man was quiet, but now suddenly he can smell the coffee. How sad!
Dear Rupiah, about you wanting to stand, please refer to Judge Ngomas revelation the Mr Sata said that it is now for the young generation. Unfortunately, we can not help you as the person who made the rule is not with us. With this in mind, I urge you to support a young candidate, even your fugitive son qualifies as he has yet been not convicted. Yours faithfully, Patriot
He can stand if he wants but he cant win.He just cant win an election.The man is an octegenarian and its not in the interest of Zambia to have an otogenarian President.His burial site at the embassy park is already secured in the next one or two decades!What else is left of him?Why doesnt his son stand then?Greedy and taking people for granted.We have turned the corner with the death of Sata.We the young are ready to take over.My guarantee to Zambians if its not now but by 2016.Zambian Presidency belongs to Zambians and i mean those born in ZAMBIA and not Northern RhodesiaIts a fact!GOD BLESS ZAMBIA.
I meant OCTOGENARIAN.
Mr. Kennedy Mwansa appear to be a self appointed representative of Zambians in UK.
We know Zambians involved in various activities that inform and organize meetings of various types involving Zambia on social, business and bereavements affecting Zambians. I represent my region in Casnewydd (Wales). Never heard this Kennedy Mwansa even on ZOFZ. Indeed, do not condone politicians who have had their time to come back denying others to play their role as well. However, RB has a democratic right to express his views and voters have the final say. Nevers Mumba was voted to lead MMD and does not automatically qualify to become presidential candidate for MMD. The MMD constitution does not provide that guideline.
Mwansa is wrongly expressing the wishes of UK Zambians.
CODI INASILA MILANDU YAKUBA BA RB? HOW CAN SOMEONE ON THEFT CHARGES BE ALLOWED BACK TO POLITICAL RESPONSIBILITIES AND POSSIBLY TO STAND AS NATIONAL PRESIDENT? RB’s AMBITION NOW IS TO BECOME PRESIDENT AND BRING BACK HIS THIEVING SON AND RELEASE THE OTHER ONE WHO IS MAYBE SERVING A PRISON SENTENCE. ZAMBIANS ARE DULL FOR SURE. I HAVE NO PROBLEM WHO COMES INTO PRESIDENCY, BUT HE/SHE MUST BRING REAL VALUE TO THE COUNTRY AND NOT STILL EVEN THE LITTLE THAT IS THERE.
RB has a democratic right to run. It’s upto the Zambian people to decide whether to vote for him or not.
Why is it bothering chaps who are in the UK and not bothering us in Zambia?
And this guy is a bomb a who thinks only a bemba should be president.
ALA BEE PUMULANI. ZIKO LIZANKANLA CHABE BWINO OLO SIMULIKO.
YOU HAVE LEFT YOUR SONS TO RUN THEIR OWN FAMILIES, WHY NOT ALLOW US ALSO TO BE GIVEN A CHANCE TO RULE ZAMBIA? MWACHEMBELE ASUKULU. YOU WERE BORN SAME YEAR WITH LATE PRESIDENT.