LUSAKA businessman Austin Chewe (above) says he is not interested in the MMD leadership in the short or long-term, contrary to a list in the possession of Daily Mail that earlier stated that he was one of the top contenders.
He said this in Lusaka yesterday in a statement.
“I categorically deny that I am vying for the MMD presidency neither do I have plans in the near or distant future to lead the MMD,” Captain Chewe said.
This leaves eight people on the list less than two weeks before the party can close the “expressions of interest” for the job, which seems to have lost its allure as analysts call for a “strong opposition” to offer checks and balances to the President Sata-led Patriotic Front government, following Mr Rupiah Banda’s decision to retire.
But MMD Chisamba member of Parliament Moses Muteteka says he will embrace the original ideologies and aspirations the party stood for the time it was formed if elected party president.
Mr Muteteka, who is one of the MMD members who have expressed interest in the party presidency, said he will reform the party so that it can regain the support it lost from the people of Zambia.
Mr Muteteka is one of the eight party members on the list of MMD members who have applied for the party’s top-most position.
The others are former Foreign Affairs Minister Kabinga Pande, former Finance Minister Situmbeko Musokotwane, former Commerce, Trade and Industry Minister Felix Mutati and Zambia’s High Commissioner to Canada Nevers Mumba. Former Minister of Local Government and Housing Brian Chituwo, Charles Ngesa, a party member based on the Copperbelt, and Mr Nason Msoni, who contested the Kabwata parliamentary seat as an independent, are the other aspirants.
Mr Pande said he will issue a statement at an appropriate time while Mr Musokotwane said he would talk when ready. Mr Mutati also promised to issue a comprehensive statement on his plans to contest the MMD presidency.
However, Mr Muteteka said he needs support from the elderly politicians because they have always said the youth are future leaders. He said most politicians have been talking about the youth being the “leaders of tomorrow” but never support them (youth) when tomorrow comes.
In an interview yesterday, he said, “We had the best ideologies which the people of Zambia believed in, I want to take the MMD to those beliefs they embraced at the time the party was formed.”
Mr Muteteka, who observed that the people of Zambia have over the years lost confidence in the party because it abandoned its principles over the years, promised to provide credible leadership that will manage financial resources and ensure the youth benefit.
Mr Muteteka said it is now time for the youth to provide leadership for the nation. He said he gets his inspiration from being a youth and has understood the challenges the youth face in the country.
He said he wants to give attention to the youth, who make up 78 percent of the Zambian population so that they can look after the parents. “I’m not saying we are going to ignore our parents, but we will take them as serious consultants of knowledge. I would rather their put us in front,” Mr Muteteka said.
He said he is enjoying support in the party and he will be judged by his performance as party youth chairman. “The loss of Rupiah Banda has changed everything and, therefore, since I already had the intentions, I have expressed my intention to contest the position now.
I cannot wait for 2016 because an opportunity has come,” he said. He advised Zambians criticising President Sata to do so within reason, saying “we will provide constructive criticism, but let’s support him (President Sata) because he needs our support”.
[Zambia Daily Mail]
too competitive.
So the Daily Mail is slowly turning into a vuvuvela of the ruling party, cause most comments on the opposition have been derogatory.
Mind you, the old guys were kicked out as the cobra continues sweeping the house. Now we don’t see any reason for the opposing part. Free medical treatment is one of the most achievement the PF has spearheaded. Just support the old man, he is doing what our grandparents missed during the mmd regime :d
ka muteteka..you should learn to tame your mouth huh! kabinga Pande is the one..
A corrupt angel is still holier than a genuine demon. Ever heard of benevolent demons? They give numerous gifts and buy you a free ticket to hell. MMD =angel.
A corrupt Angel is no longer an angel. A devil is better because at least you know what to expect. A corrupt devil is hypocritical while a devil is being a devil.
buried b4 elections.
Mr Muteteka wrong start – there is no need to take the MMD back to the old outdated ideologies. Reinvent the MMD – be forward looking. What we need in Zambia are new people centred policies that improve the wellbeing of people. The MMD is private sector centred organisation that failed the Zambian people for 20 years. Taking it up you must reinvent it – create it into an organisation that will support the Zambian people fully – by providing services and reducing poverty of the average Zambian.
time will tell
I did not know that the Captain is still Alive..
K Mpande is more mature than the young Muteteka who is just power hungry, but all the best to all the cadidates
i wld go 4 mutati
HALT!!!!!!!
THERE IS A DANGER THAT IS LURKING IN THE STREETS AND CORRIDORS OF LIFE!!!!
Malaria may be killing people but it is curable.
HIV is now less devastating than it was BUT why is it that there is no public awareness campaigns against HEPATITIS C and B viruses! In the US now, Hep C deaths have exceeded those from HIV! Wake up Zambia and do not allow this new pandemic to overtake you like HIV did in the 80s. Start screening and testing for Hepatitis B and C!!!!
He knows that MMD just want to chew his money!
Ati “since I already had the intentions“ wish you said that wen RB was in power, this time you wud have been called a person not in good standing with the party, so all these people were scared of Banda? we cant trust you with the leadership of the nation, you are simply cowards or bootlickers.
The leadership which will be chosen by opposition MMD is the one that will define its destiny. ie life or death
Give Dr. Musokotwane a chance for MMD Presidency! He has the credentials and Hon. Mutati for Vice while Hon. Kabinga for Chairman.
You’ll get broke if you take the job
Its good to hear the plans MMD presidential Aspirants have.I have to be honest here that it may be a harder stone to crack for MMD to get back to Power here in Zambia.This may only happen when PF Gvt fails to deliver what they promised during their 2011 election campaigns.
Most urban youths of Zambia who voted MMD out of Power are still alive and increasing in numbers come 2016.The rural areas also PF is getting there together with other Political Parties Like NAREP and UPND.MMD has do alot for them to bounce back to State House.
For MMD to get back its life needs total Transformation of the party from being an opposition political party to a fellowship party. Opposition contradicts but a fellowship is always on the side of human development. MMD needs a brand new leader not one soiled with old dirty tricks. A K10 Million nomination fee is killing the party. Tell Major Kachingwe to change MMD style.
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