Zambia’s ruling MMD party has chosen the country’s vice president, Rupiah Banda, as its candidate to contest a presidential election due in November, a party official said.

Banda beat off a challenge from Finance Minister Ng’andu Magande and 14 other candidates for the presidential election to choose a successor to late President Levy Mwanawasa.

Zambia, which became a rare African success story under Mwanawasa, faces economic and political uncertainty as the race to replace him intensifies.

Banda, 72, told officials of the ruling Movement for Multiparty Democracy (MMD) that he will continue with Mwanawasa’s policies if elected as the country’s new president.

“I want to work with all my comrades in order to unite the party and the country and keep on with our policies,” Banda said.

He drew 43 votes and Magande 11. Only seven of 19 candidates contested the final vote after the others withdrew, MMD elections official Jeff Kande said.

Banda, who was appointed as Mwanawasa’s deputy in 2006, took over as head of the government after the president died last month.

He has held many diplomatic posts, including that of Zambia’s representative to the United Nations, before being made foreign minister in the 1970s in the administration of Zambia’s first post-independence leader, Kenneth Kaunda.

After his stint as foreign minister, Banda served as a parliamentarian between 1978 and 1988.

Magande said he supported Banda for president.

“I accept the defeat because this is democracy. … I will campaign for him in my constituency,” Magande said.

The divisions within the ruling party could cost the ruling party ground to main opposition leader Michael Sata , who narrowly lost to Mwanawasa in 2006 presidential polls,particularly if infighting gets worse.

The MMD candidate will face a challenge from Sata, and Hakainde Hichilema, the leader of the United Party for National Development — which is the third largest party in parliament.

Investors hope Zambia’s new leadership will stick to Mwanawasa’s fiscal discipline, which won him praise from Western donors and billions of dollars in debt relief.

Some of the shine is also coming off Zambia’s economic performance. The kwacha has lost about 3 percent of its value against the dollar since Mwanawasa’s death, mostly due to political uncertainty although also the stronger greenback.

Reuters

Mulungushi International Conference Centre (MCCI) is a hive of activities as MMD cadres from various parts of the country flock to the centre to give support to their preferred Presidential candidate.

A check by ZANIS this morning found scores of MMD cadres chanting and singing solidarity songs in support of Acting President Rupiah Banda.

Mr. Rupiah Banda’s supporters who seem to be dominating at the centre were also seen with placards in support of him.

MMD Ndola District vice Information and Publicity Secretary, Alex Mubanga told ZANIS in an interview that the Copperbelt Province has opted to rally behind Mr. Banda as he has shown maturity and exemplarily leadership since he took over as acting President.

Mr. Mubanga noted that MMD members in the province have assessed and screened all the aspiring candidates adding that Mr. Banda is the only one who was found as a credible leader able who will be able to continue with the programs left behind by President Mwanawasa.

In a separate interview, Nelly Mumba an MMD cadre said all the women in the party are in support of Acting President Rupiah Banda adding that they will campaign flat out for him to ensure that the MMD scoops the Presidency.

The Presidential seat fell vacant after the death of Dr Mwanawasa last week on Tuesday, 19th August, 2008, at Percy Military Hospital in Paris, France.

Mr Banda is among several party members that have applied to be considered as Presidential candidates in the forthcoming presidential election.

Dr Mwanawasa’s second term and final five year term of office was due to end in 2011.

The Ruling Movement for Multi-Party Democracy (MMD) National Executive Committee (NEC) is today expected to disclose the Presidential candidate who will represent the party in the forthcoming presidential election.

NEC which is the highest organ of the party is currently meeting with the all the Presidential aspirants at the Mulungushi International Conference Centre (MCCI) where a decision on who will represent the party is expected to be arrived at.

ZANIS/YK/AM/ENDS

Health Minister Brian Chituwo has pulled out of the race for adoption as MMD Presidental candidate in the forthcoming bye-election.

Dr. Chituwo’s withdrawal came a few hours before the National Executive Committee meeting to select the party’s candidate at Mulungushi International Conference Centre in the Zambna capital, Lusaka.

MMD national secretary Katele Kalumba confirmed the development to ZNBC News at the party secretariat Friday.

Another candidate Cain Mweemba has also withdrawn from the race.

In his letter to Dr. Kalumba, Mr. Mweemba said his decision was done in the best interest of the party due to the limited time available before the presidential by-elections.

He challenged other presidential applicants to demonstrate selflessness by withdrawing from the race.

On Thursday, former Constitutional Review Chairperson Willa Mungomba announced his pull out from the race.

Thursday night Dr. Kalumba announced that five candidates had withdrawn from the race but refused to name them.

MMD National Publicity Secretary Ben Tetamashimba has disclosed that members including the party’s National Executive Committee (NEC) in the eight provinces have so far resolved to support acting Vice President Rupiah Banda as the party presidential candidate for the forthcoming presidential by-election.

Mr. Tetamashimba said the NEC members from the eight provinces will be the same NEC members that will vote in tomorrow’s NEC elections for the MMD presidential candidate for the imminent by-election.

Speaking at a media briefing in Lusaka today, Mr. Tetamashimba said the eight provinces that have endorsed Acting President Rupiah Banda’s candidature are Eastern, Northern, Luapula, Copperbelt, Western, North Western, Southern and Lusaka province.

He said the NEC members have resolved to support Mr. Banda’s candidature in order for him to serve the country from were the late President Mwanawasa had left.

Mr. Tetamashimba said the MMD constitution does not call for a convention to choose a presidential candidate and as such the NEC can only do so if there has been no direction from the provinces to choose a presidential candidate.

He said it is not a political norm to start searching for a candidate to stand on the MMD ticket adding that Mr. Banda is supposed to be an automatic choice.

Mr. Tetamashimba said Mr. Banda qualifies to be an MMD candidate in the forthcoming presidential by-election because he has been in the MMD and NEC as a member since 2005 contrary to assertions that he is not eligible.

He said allowing Mr. Banda to become MMD presidential candidate will also ensure unity both in the party and the nation as he had worked closely with President Mwanawasa as republican vice president.

Mr. Tetamashimba said added that Mr. Banda was the most preferred candidate culminating into his appointment as vice president contrary to insinuations by some named politicians that they are the preferred presidential candidates by the late president.

He also noted that President Mwanawasa had written a letter to vice president Rupiah Banda appointing him as acting president before he left for Egypt where he suffered a stroke and was later evacuated to Paris, France were he subsequently died.

Mr. Tetamashimba said the President’s decision can not therefore be challenged by people who did not challenge it when he was alive and made the decision.

He said the Zambian people expect Mr. Banda to follow the economic footsteps of President Mwanawasa’s footsteps of building the economy and fostering national unity after the presidential by-elections.

The ruling party’s information and publicity chairperson has since called upon MMD members and NEC members to continue rallying behind acting president Rupiah Banda in tomorrow’s elections for the party’s presidential candidate.

Scores of MMD party officials and some cabinet ministers and members of parliament attended the media briefing which was dubbed “should the acting president Rupiah Banda be the MMD Presidential Candidate”.

ZANIS/CM/AM/ENDS.

The MMD is talking to various political parties to find ways of avoiding a presidential by-election.

MMD National Secretary, Katele Kalumba, says this is because the exercise is expensive.

Dr. Kalumba said in Lusaka, Thursday, that it will be costly for the country to spend 400 billion kwacha on the by-election.

Dr. Kalumba, without naming the political parties the MMD has engaged, said the ruling party is discussing with Secretary Generals to look at available options.

He urged the opposition and Non Governmental Organizations with ideas on how the country can move forward without getting into an election to engage the MMD.

Dr. Kalumba called on stakeholders to think seriously on how the country can move forward as one family.

He however said the MMD is ready to go into the presidential by-election if money to hold the election is available.

Dr. Kalumba further urged stakeholders in the electoral process to be mindful that the country will be holding tripartite elections in 2011.

Zambia is expected to hold a presidential by-election following the death of president Mwanawasa on August 19.

According to the republican constitution, the country is supposed to hold a by-election 90 days after the demise of a sitting president.
And opposition United National Independence Party (UNIP) on the Copperbelt province says it is not ready to participate in the forthcoming presidential by-elections.

UNIP national revival forum chairperson for Copperbelt province, Dick Mbao said in a statement to ZANIS today that the party has no single leader with a mandate to represent or compete favourably in the presidential by election.

Mr. Mbao stated that it was premature for someone to stand as a candidate because the party was going through a reconciliation process.

He said the party was yet to hold its national congress to elect members of the central committee who then should decide on the candidate.

“UNIP is preparing for the presidential, parliamentary and local government elections in 2011 and not for a by election,” Mr. Mbao added.

He described the participation of his party in the November presidential by-election as irrational.

He said it would be a waste of the party’s resources to participate in the presidential by election.

UNIP national revival forum is a party faction headed by General Malimba Masheke, the former party secretary general.

The country will hold a presidential by election following the death of President Levy Mwanawasa last month.  The late Dr. Mwanawasa was put to rest yesterday at the Embassy Park in Lusaka.

Meanwhile, opposition Patriotic Front (PF) says it is now ready to discuss issues concerning the forthcoming presidential by-election.

Party Spokesperson Given Lubinda told ZANIS that the party was waiting until the late President Mwanawasa was put to rest to air its views on the forthcoming presidential by-election.

Mr. Lubinda said the party would soon call for a press briefing at which a comprehensive statement would be issued and all issues concerning the presidential by-election would be exhaustively discussed.

He said the necessity for a free and fair election would be articulated during the press briefing.

Mr. Lubinda added that the need to maintain peace before, during and after the presidential by-election would also top the agenda.

ZANIS/GP/AM/ENDS

Chief Mwanachingwala of the Tonga people in Mazabuka district has argued that the late President Levy Mwanawasa did not prefer Finance Minister, N’gandu Magande to succeed him but a prominent Mkushi farmer, Costern Chilala

The chief told ZANIS in Mazabuka today, that the truth of the matter was that the late President preferred prominent Mr. Chilala to be take over from him.

He claimed that Mr. Magande was also aware of this fact.

Chief Mwanachingwala argued that Mr. Magande was far from being preferred by the President, adding that the late Dr. Mwanawasa, who he regarded as a friend, confided in him.

The traditional ruler said Mr. Chilala could attest to his statement.

The traditional leader also disclosed that the late President Mwanawasa had appointed Mr. Chilala as Vice President but the latter turned down the appointment, saying he was comfortable with his business.

Meanwhile, Chief Mwanachingwala has maintained that most chiefs in the province have thrown their weight behind Vice President and Acting President Rupiah Banda as MMD presidential candidate in the bye-election.

The chief however felt betrayed by his counterpart, Chief Nalubamba whom he said was one of those who earlier declared his support for Mr. Banda.

” He wanted me to make an appointment for him to meet the Vice President in Lusaka so why did he deny that most chiefs, including him are in support of RB,” asked chief Mwanachingwala.

Chief Mwanachingwala said the endorsement of Mr. Banda by the MMD Southern province executive committee was enough testimony of the overwhelming support the acting President has in the province.

He challenged Chief Mukuni to state his position and publicly announce the candidate he was supporting.

He said certain political decisions have negative impact on the living conditions of people especially those in rural areas.

Chief Mwanachingwala added that it was the duty of chiefs to help give direction of the country to the public.

ZANIS/HC/KSH/ENDS

The MMD’s chairperson for elections has demanded that the undisclosed presidential candidate be revealed to the other candidates eyeing the presidency.

Mike Mulongoti says the party constitution has no provisions for those who apply in an undisclosed manner.

He says this is because all party activities are done transparently.

Party National Secretary, Katele Kalumba, said, Wednesday 17 members including one undisclosed candidate have so far applied.

Dr. Kalumba said the undeclared candidate has had their membership status undisclosed until now.

He refused to name the undeclared candidate but described the person as a formidable force.

The MMD National Executive Committee is meeting, Friday to elect a candidate for the forthcoming presidential by-election.
[ZNBC]

Scores of MMD members, among them Vernon Mwaanga, Mbita Chitala, Akashambatwa Mbikusita Lewanika, Joe Mwale, former Vice President, Christon Tembo, Vera Tembo, and a number of other serving deputy ministers, gathered at Chrisma hotel today to announce their support for Mr.  Rupiah Banda.

Barely a day after Republican President and leader of the ruling Movement for Multiparty Democracy (MMD) Levy Mwanawasa was buried, some founder members of the party have launched a strong appeal to the National Executive Committee (NEC) to elect the acting President, Rupiah Banda to succeed the late.

Veteran politician, Vernon Mwaanga said Zambians needed to rise above mourning the deceased President and find another capable leader to carry the mantle of development.

Mr. Mwaanga, who is former Minister of Information and Broadcasting Services and chief government spokesperson, told a press briefing in Lusaka today that Mr. Banda, who is also Vice President, had massive experience in issues of governance.

He said the current situation in the country was an emergency and therefore required a successor of Mr. Banda’s caliber, adding that the latter was mature, and capable of continuing with the current economic development of the country.

“We lost our president and we put him to rest yesterday, but we need rise above mourning and move forward and develop our country,” he said, adding that, “I know Rupiah Banda very well, we joined the foreign service on the same date in September 1964”.

He added that Mr. Banda was the best candidate for the forthcoming presidential by-elections because he had attributes of unifying the country and continuing with the economic gains the country has recorded in the recent past.

Mr. Mwaanga explained that he loved all other presidential aspirants in his party but noted that they should hold on until 2011 when the country goes to the normal presidential, parliamentary and local government elections.

“It is not about selling each other’s commercial interest but about pushing this country forward. Those who will lose should not be disappointed but unite to ensure that Rupiah Banda wins the forthcoming elections,” he said.

Meanwhile, former Vice President, Christon Tembo said the MMD should unite and chose Mr. Banda because he was a better candidate than other aspirants.

Lieutenant General Tembo said the ruling party should not doubt the correctness of their choice to have Mr. Banda as the candidate for the forthcoming presidential by election.

He said he left the MMD in 2001 because of differences over the third term bid by former President, Frederick Chiluba but was now ready to assist the party because it had transformed itself into a democratic club.

“Rupiah Banda will get a landslide. This is the time to remain united. I am available to assist in anyway you want me to,” he said.

Former ambassador to Libya, Mbita Chitala advised the party NEC to choose the acting President whom he said was the best candidate and had been a bonafide member of the MMD.

“Our advice to the 56 members of the NEC is that they pick a candidate who will continue stabilizing the country and provide continuity,” he said.

Mr. Chitala also appealed to the opposition political parties to consider allowing the MMD to complete the term of presidential office through Mr. Banda.

“To the NEC, please give us Mr. Banda. We are outsiders but we are founder members of the MMD and we are advising you to hear us,” he said.

Another member of the MMD, Wendy Sinkala said party members should not be detracted and hoodwinked by people who were campaigning against Mr. Banda.

Ms. Sinkala said Zambia and the ruling were going through an extra ordinary period of losing a President, a situation that required caution to deal with.

Meanwhile, a founder member of the MMD in Eastern province, Rosalynn Daka, said Mr. Banda was good a campaign manager who helped the ruling party win support in Eastern province, which was predominantly for the opposition.

The ruling party NEC will tomorrow choose a presidential candidate for the forthcoming by-election which was necessitated by the death of Dr. Mwanawasa.

The late President died in France on August 19th, after suffering a stroke on June 29th, 2008.

Among the candidates vying for the presidency under the MMD ticket are Minister of Finance, Ng’andu Magande, former vice President Enoch Kavindele, Lusaka businessman Sebastain Kopulande, Minister of Health, Brian Chituwo, party members Billy Phiri, Cain Mweemba and many others.

ZANIS/KSH/YS/AM/ENDS