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We Have All Failed – MMD Bigwigs
MMD vice-presidents Brian Chituwo and Michael Kaingu and party spokesperson Dora Siliya say the party is dying a slow and painful death because of failed leadership and must urgently hold an extraordinary convention.
The senior party members also distanced themselves from accusations by party president Nevers Mumba that some National Executive Committee (NEC) members have been sponsored by State House to cause confusion in the party.
The trio said calls for an extra-ordinary convention are in line with the party constitution.
The MMD leaders said this at a press briefing in Lusaka yesterday.
“MMD is dying a slow and painful death. Failing to admit this fact would be injustice to Zambians and to our democracy. The party is on the verge of collapsing due to failed leadership,” Dr Chituwo said.
Dr Mumba declined to comment on the demands for an extraordinary convention.
“I am not available for a comment,” Dr Mumba said before hanging up.
Dr Chituwo, who chaired the press briefing, said since the 2011 general elections through which the MMD lost political power of the country, the party has continued to lose members to other political parties.
“Our party constitution provides for a recourse in a situation we have found ourselves in. We need to reconnect with our general membership and be available to provide alternative governance,” he said.
Dr Chituwo said calls for an extraordinary convention are not a revolt but a desire to keep the MMD alive.
“We all have failed and so we want to put in place good leadership at the convention,” he said.
And Dr Kaingu, who is vice-president in charge of politics, said the convention will be one way of totally overhauling the MMD.
“We want people to elect a new person from the president to the last position. What you are seeing is a failed leadership,” Dr Kaingu said.
And Dr Kaingu said reported injurious statements made by some top party officials such as Lucky Mulusa – who was present at the briefing – and Ms Siliya, are not the party’s position.
“We want a re-birth of the MMD. We believe in sorting out issues in a mature way. We discourage insults and we stand on discipline,” he said.
And Ms Siliya said she is not afraid to speak the truth about the MMD.
“I am not scared to say MMD is dying but we must not allow it to die. It is you people who come to our homes to complain that we leaders are failing people,” Ms Siliya said at the briefing attended by several other party members.
She said people must admit that things are not okay in the MMD and certain steps must be taken to save it.
Mr Mulusa, a NEC member who recently reportedly sharply criticised Dr Mumba, said he still views the party president as his “father” but merely pointed to his weaknesses.
Mr Mulusa said he is dedicated to the values of the party and hence will do everything possible to add value to it.
“The extraordinary convention is not a question of choice. It has to take place so that we have a fresh mandate and commitment,” he said.
Mr Mulusa said resources will be mobilised for the extra-ordinary convention.
Dr Chituwo said there is no way MMD members of Parliament can be paid to destabilise the party which took them to Parliament.
Last week, Dr Mumba alleged that State House was fanning confusion in the former ruling party.
State House dismissed the claims as baseless.
Opposition People’s Party president Mike Mulongoti attended the press briefing.
Posted by
Wellard
March 25, 2014 at 11:19 am
I still fail to understand why they chose Mumba over Felix Mutati. If they ever want to revive themselves they should get Mutati to run the party. The problem with MMD they want Cabinet positions if they ever get back into power, so they will choose someone who likes them. Put your party first, and not yourselves. They should have let Magande take over after Levy passed away, then maybe they may still be in power. The Post supported Magande why didn’t they?
Wellard
March 25, 2014 at 11:22 am
May The Party’s Soul Rest In Peace.
YES
March 25, 2014 at 11:30 am
Organise yoselves u will bounce back to power in 2016
Zambia
March 25, 2014 at 12:43 pm
Really??? Are you sure after 20 years of non performance.Zambians are not ready , maybe another Party, if they had been patient with Dr Mumba, maybe they could have come back in future.
John
March 25, 2014 at 11:42 am
Show them the money then members will not leave. Without money they were used to before or a hope of money in their pockets through good governance, nothing will work. MMD is a gonner.
Saddam Hussein
March 25, 2014 at 11:53 am
Opposition People’s Party president Mike Mulongoti attended the press briefing. Why?
Zambia
March 25, 2014 at 12:41 pm
Good question.
Chibote
March 25, 2014 at 11:57 am
Malibu yakuilombela. Magande or Mutati would have made good presidents for the party, RIP MMD.
Zambia
March 25, 2014 at 12:45 pm
Hope none of them stands for leadership if their calls are genuine otherwise this will confirm people’s suspicions.
jamakudi
March 25, 2014 at 1:48 pm
The truth is that Nevers Mumba is a good guy but he is not a politician just like Gen Miyanda.
Bo Sipopa
March 25, 2014 at 2:30 pm
These Seniors-Kaingu,Chituwo and Dora they surprise me.Surely,if these pipo really cared for MMD,they should have tried to find out why MMD lost power to PF.Dr Mumba is just a sacrificial lamb.These are the same pipo who made MMD to lose in 2011.So if they again want to be at helm of MMD,indeed MMD will surely die.So it’s not Nevers who’s killing MMD,it’s them,because they’re like old skin which can’t take in new wine-The Bible saying goes.For me Mutati is tha same old skin.Infact Mutati campaigned for himself as MP and for Sata as President,not Rupiah.
Jack cole.
March 25, 2014 at 3:40 pm
Firstly the Problem with MMD is not Nevers Mumba because Nevers is a new Person. The real Problem are these same Recycled Politicians who are accusing Him of failing.
Secondly it is unjust & unfair to accuse Dr Nevers of failing when they are all part of the system
Nevers mumba is a good & visionary leader. The only thing is that they should have allowed him to complete his mandate & tenure of office.
kk
March 25, 2014 at 4:37 pm
Do u really think u have chance of bouncing back? After all that corruption and abuse of authority. Surely Something is seriously wrong in yo heads! What do u take Zambians for? I.d.io.ts?
babankuru
March 25, 2014 at 4:39 pm
I agree with those saying the problem is beyond Nevers mumba. I wish we had pipo like mark chona who can say enuf
musonda
March 25, 2014 at 9:24 pm
Dr. Mumba, the Almighty gave you the talent, the voice and the ability of expounding the Word of God on the pulpit like no man’s business. Victory Ministries became successiful not because you were clever but because God’s hand was over you. You had the favour of God over you. Now you betrayed Him and went your way.political hunger took over your faith in God. Please leave politics for politians and get back to the church. You will never succeed there I can assure you. You are in the same situation as Fr. Bwalya. Your lives were called to serve God not your selfish interests.