Opposition National Restoration Party (NAREP) has backed the move the Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ) to denounce the reports of breach of the electoral code of conduct in the just ended Parliamentary and local government by-elections.
Party president Elias Chipimo noted that the move by the ECZ standing up and denouncing the abuse of electoral laws by the PF and particularly the bravery acting spokesperson Sylvia Bwalya should be commend.
Speaking at press briefing this morning, Mr. Chipimo has also called on people in the country to begin a silent revolution to support the call for better governance, tolerance, freedom for the opposition to walk the streets without attracting violence from those threatened by their ideas.
Below is the full text of the press conference
FIGHTING THE GOOD FIGHT
PRESS STATEMENT BY THE NATIONAL RESTORATION PARTY
SUNDAY 28 JULY 2013
Good morning ladies and gentlemen. Good morning Zambia. In time-honoured fashion, many will have spent the morning attending Church services, thanking God for His many blessings. We thank the Lord that in spite of our many challenges, we are alive and we spare a thought for all those that have awoken to mourn loved ones. We pray that God in His wisdom will provide comfort to these families.
We welcome you all to our Sunday Press Conference. We have called this press conference to promote our candidates for the forthcoming by-elections in Eastern Province and to set out NAREP’s position on recent developments in our nation.
We are living in interesting times:
- violence has now become a regular feature on our political calendar
- our police service is no longer a service that protects the people but an entity that turns a blind eye to those that perpetuate violence in the name of a ruling elite
- our traditional leaders are paraded before political rallies or publicly insulted when they resist the urge to be manipulated
- by-elections continue to be the order of the day at great cost to our treasury.
All of this would seem very funny if there was nothing serious at stake. But development is not a laughing matter. Governance is serious business. A country moves forward when there is a clear plan that everyone understands; a country moves forward when its senior leadership commands respect amongst other leaders in the world; our country will move forward when we can finally elect a leader and not a politician – someone committed to doing the right thing for every Zambian and not only for those who tow the Party line.
[pullquote]our country will move forward when we can finally elect a leader and not a politician – someone committed to doing the right thing for every Zambian and not only for those who tow the Party line.[/pullquote]
Zambia is in desperate need of quality leadership at all levels of society. We need leaders who understand the difference between politics and leadership.
When faced with a choice between boosting numbers in parliament or ensuring the prioritisation of development projects, the pure politician will opt to increase his Party’s representation in parliament while the committed and caring leader will be more concerned about whether partisan politics is getting in the way of development.
A true leader puts the interests of the nation and the people first. A pure politicians puts the interest of his Party first. The reason why anyone involves themselves in politics should, after all, be based on the belief that they can do things that will be of benefit to the communities they have been elected to serve.
It is important to point out that an elected member of parliament has the responsibility to serve not only those that elected him but even those that stayed away or voted for another candidate. This is the same with a head of state whose mandate is to serve all the people of Zambia in all constituencies and not only those that have MP’s from his Party. How many times have we heard our politicians bragging at public rallies that they will only deliver development to an area in which they have an MP?
[pullquote]When a nation allows some of its mediocre citizens to take charge of all its policymaking activities, it is most unlikely to succeed in …. facilitating systematic development, nor can it really promote and preserve human dignity.[/pullquote]
Think about these words from an enlightened Zambian – Professor Paul Mwaipaya – writing about African leadership more than 35 years ago:
“When a nation allows some of its mediocre citizens to take charge of all its policymaking activities, it is most unlikely to succeed in …. facilitating systematic development, nor can it really promote and preserve human dignity. What generally happens in such a nation is the abuse of human dignity and human rights; the practice of political intimidation, which in turn develops fear of national leaders. Indeed mediocre leadership is notorious for practicing nepotism, favouritism, suppression of liberty, equality, freedom of expression, and freedom of choice.”
We are witnessing all of these things in Zambia today. Which is why as a Party, NAREP uphold and acknowledge the patriotism of those that have chosen to raise their voices against the poor leadership we are witnessing today, in spite of threats and intimidation and in some cases violence.
We commend the Electoral Commission of Zambia for standing up and denouncing the abuse of electoral laws by the PF and particularly the bravery their spokeswoman. Our country needs more people like you. We commend Reverend Pukuta Mwanza of the Evangelical Fellowship of Zambia for the forthright condemnation of the failure in our senior-most national leadership; we commend Bishop John Mambo for standing with the oppressed and those whose rights are being daily trampled on, at great cost to his personal security.
These – and many others like them – are the men and women fighting the good fight for mother Zambia and seeking to restore dignity to the lives of those that have been neglected by the selfishness of our politicians.
[pullquote]We commend the Electoral Commission of Zambia for standing up and denouncing the abuse of electoral laws by the PF and particularly the bravery their spokeswoman. Our country needs more people like you[/pullquote]
We look to every Zambian that cares about this country to begin a silent revolution to support the call for better governance, tolerance, freedom for the Opposition to walk the streets without attracting violence from those threatened by their ideas.
It is in this same spirit that we present our 3 candidates for the forthcoming by-elections in Mkaika, Petauke Central and Malambo constituencies. Nigel Mpakateni, Abel Phiri and Michelle Manda understand fully what is at stake in our politics today. They also share the vision of a new Zambia that will be governed by leaders that are not tainted by the politics of the past; a new generation of leaders – prepared to guide the nation to prosperity through a commitment to the values that continue to define who we are as a Party: (1) excellence, (2) integrity, (3) responsibility, (4) service, (5) equity, (6) humility, (7) commitment and (8) a sense of community.
I ask you to join me in congratulating our 3 candidates for the forthcoming by-elections in Eastern Province: Nigel Mpakateni, Michelle Manda and Abel Phiri. May the NAREP revolution take firm root with their success to enable us to push forward our work of restoring the dignity of our nation and making the life of every Zambian matter.
I thank you and may God’s grace be with you all.
Elias C. Chipimo
President
National Restoration Party (NAREP)
7 guns one cresseda 24/7 bedroom spy
I would prefer to have a constitution that clips the powers of presidential appointment vis a vis Electoral Commision, Police and Judiciary headship or leadership instead of going on some wild-goose revolt called up by some mediocre book-keeper mistakenly called a politician (Elias fimofimo).
A constitution is a better protector of the independence of the arms of government than the sporadic fits of good will by any individual.
In case you missed the point I am getting at Mr Elias – please fight for a constitution the reduces the powers of the office of the president to appoint key civil servants because this is the cause or root of the evil. Revolting does not deal with the cause, but please feel free to spend a few nights in jail – it will raise your spirituality if anything.
From democratically elected leader of a country to a full fledged spy called 007 MCS; licenced to scare everyone into submission !!
Wow this guy talks sense ehhh…
Talking sense and doing sense are two different things. Elias need some clout, period!
@Nubian princess, I was one of the keen followers of this Elias Chipimo. But I no loner am for a simple reason that this chap has become big-headed. He has also started talking for the sake of talking-the same way that Hakainde Hifimofimo talks! Of late this boy has also been quoted as having been issuing a lot of trash. I can give you a list of his many misplaced pronouncements!! He seems to be the latest victim of a disease called VERBAL DIARRHEA!
This careless utterances has reduced this man who otherwise one would have thought was the future of Zambian politics-many are now calling him ELIAS KAPIMO! He has also become soooo petty!! Its regrettable and disappointing really.
@ CHERYL leave HH out nokoh ichinyohh after all he is easily scooping the presidency even without your support you iddiot
Totally agree why are we not joining his party and supporting him…we have been advocating for a younger leader but we seem not to honor our own hypocrisy of leadership change….. how can I join him
Last week by election just shows that PF does not rig elections like MMD used to do. Otherwise i feel Chipimo is been cheap by issuing unnecessary press conference on Sunday, trying to gain some political mileage.
no its show that PF failed to rigg…. rigg can be a very complex system for an uneducated stone thrower to understand and exacute,
Ndobo dude, you are the man. I wish u and Cindy a wonderful life together with nice babies who when they turn twelve, will take over from Sata coz even a child can do a better job at being prez!
Its his democratic right….we live in s democracy.
.
good morning? where was this press statement? was it blocked somewhere??
Anyway Great statement Chipimo!!! just dont flip flop your way to brazil again!
Ndobo, I think you are an opening on a lunatic’s backside! Some say a/hole. Your thinking/ comments always lack sense. You should grow up iwe ci colour!!!
dont worry i understand you,,, attention seeking by insulting just like your PF president
Very inspiring peace, but Sata will be very upset when someone reads it to him and explains what the words mean. It is true, Zambia needs a true leader not a “pure politician” Sata at most must have been a campaign manager because he knows how to generate votes from desperate people not a president of a nation for Gods sake.
I meant piece not peace before some cadre feels intelligent and tries to correct me.
hahaha! U’re funny!
Spot on!!
Does it mean that Mr. FRED MEMBWE is now copper theft full time expert afters sales of POST have gone down.
leave him to keep playing with the rope until it is long enough……
chipimo, pretending as if he is a republican president.
At least you don’t need to pretend at being an a-hole 🙂
At least SOMEONE is behaving presidential.
Its his democratic right….we live in s democracy.
.
Well said Mr President. ….future leader of Zambia clean and issue based politics. You have a proper plan for mother Zambia
When pf wins the ecz will be condemned. l think even in opposing honesty must be there. 1. You are not telling the truth about wat is leading to by elections. 2.Those of us that are independent are observing .Pf must too pull her socks.
Good evening
Quote: “We look to every Zambian that cares about this country to begin a silent revolution to support the call for better governance, tolerance, freedom…”
A rather strange call over things that should be pretty straightforward for all citizens of the republic if you ask me. In the same way, I do not see why anyone needs to be commended over the outcome of an election. People vote, the ballots are counted and whoever has the majority votes among the candidates wins. Anything extra-ordinary about that?
The goodness with being able to put ideas in black and white is that it becomes very easy to understand and follow you. This would also apply when making public speeches if one was to follow a written script. I have always liked Chipimo’s depth of analysis and he certainly represents and speaks for the informed younger next generation of leaders. Mind you, this is an Oxford education speaking.
Well thought through and articulated observation. Only spoilt by your reference to Oxford education at the dearth….. a touch vain methinks. Otherwise keep up the good work. I thank you.
2 postnewspaper trucks detained. Pliz google and learn how self-righteous fred membe is stealing copper in zambia
Thanks Chipimo for standing up for the rule of law and fairness.Zambia in the age of abusive PF is going down the wrong road and it’ll be a trajedy to hand over to our kids a worse country than we found in out time.
Cheryl, it is bcoz of pipo like you that we need laws and institutions that support good governance. For yo information, politics is about communicating ideas to people on a national scale. That is what bro Chipimo has done. You sound so scared to hear the humble voice of reason. Chipimo did not insult or denounce anyone but communicated his party’s ideals. That is the language of this age -not those insults of the politics of the one-party state era. Welcome on board brother Chipimo. HH started in a similar passion but was forced to counter fire with fire. The future when clean politics will start is when we have the hhs, chipimos, mutesas Dr, milupis, miyandas ideas compete in the political market while the “indpendence group” retire with their politics of intimidation. Sorry…
All those against our future president in the mame of elias chipimo are just useful idiots.
Wher ws mambilima fals whn Wiliam blunder maimed pf cadres in chongwe?Where ws mambilima whn mmd kadobi roughed up kanyama electorates?Wher ws ci mayo whn chamba chimbwi ws routinely insultng sat usng public media ?And RB encouragd citzens to chimbwi prgm agnst sata?Wht nonsense is thild & intends to build hr image in the guise to scruplous stay aloof of hr partial stance!Ths spineles total failure & portrayng hr clay feet in decision makng.We knw pf has givn u latitude fr yr independent operation mind yr statemts not to pls some sects.s woman tryng to prove tht she fa
What is a silent revolution any way?
When we beat you in 2016 ECZ will be condemed to death by the opposition.You celabrate the victory, we are gaurging ourselves about our strength and weaknesses in terms of constitiencies spread.Check votes partern and you would not celebrate.Study the factors and you would not celebrate. I wont review to you what could have led to our lose in chipata, Kafulafuta and solwezi because you can use our analysis to your advantage.MMD you should cry more for loosing two seats than claim you are strong on the ground.UNIP remained popular for years in that constituency but never resurrected from the 1991 defeat.It has gone into oblivion.Some of you will die after 2016 because if shock.
A silent revolution is one undr perception bt nevr ocurs in reality.Its like wind tht gathers no moth. And may also be beter placed as sea wave tht blows without direction & hence has no destination.For this reason it is also clasified as a dream fr a slepng man who’s intoxicated with complete halucination in the brain.
Indeed mediocre leadership is notorious for practicing nepotism, favouritism, suppression of liberty, equality, freedom of expression, and freedom of choice.
The above statement from President Chipimo sums it all. The more reasons he should come out a lot more to fight for a free society.
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