Multi party Democracy (MMD) Die Hard National Youth Coordinator Bowman Lusambo has appealed to former Republican President Rupiah Banda to remain in retirement and contribute to strengthening the country’s democratic credentials.
In a statement released to the media, Mr Lusambo said that Mr. Banda should channel his support towards helping Nevers Mumba ascend to the presidency in the same manner he was helped to become Head of State.
Mr. Lusambo says the nation should be reminded that Mr. Banda was helped to become Head of State from his humble farm life in Eastern province.
Mr. Lusambo states that the entire MMD machinery rallied behind Mr. Banda until 2011 when he lost the election to the Patriotic Front (PF).
He says it is for this reason that Mr. Banda should rally behind Dr Mumba’s desire and efforts to win the presidency in 2016.
Below is the full statement
Press Statement for immediate release
MMD MEMBERS SHOULD STOP WEARING RB REGALIA
As MMD youths, we wish to join the rest of the nation in celebrating the country’s Golden Jubilee anniversary. We further commend all Zambians across the ten provinces for commemorating this important milestone in a peaceful manner. Our hearts go out to the families of victims of the Lake Kariba disaster who died on their way to celebrate Jubilee. It is our prayer that the Almighty God will comfort their families and strengthen their faith as they mourn the departed young souls.
It is clear that Zambia has achieved a lot in the last 50 years. Our forefathers laid a strong foundation after attaining political liberation. They put down their lives for the greater good of the nation. They also fought hard to guarantee democratic freedoms and put the country on a clear path towards economic development through economic liberalization.
As youths of this great nation, we now have a duty to attain economic emancipation. As Zambia moves towards its centenary, we should stand and be counted as a generation that fought to reduce poverty, restore national pride and patriotism.
Attending and watching the Golden Jubilee celebrations brought a sense of joy and pride. It reinforced our common beliefs and shared aspirations as a people. It was pleasing to see our Former Presidents walking and embracing each other as they supported the Acting President Hon. Mr. Edgar Lungu in his duties.
It was also refreshing to see Former Presidents and retired Presidents from some of our neighbouring countries turn out to celebrate with us on this momentous occasion.
The Former leaders offered a great lesson to some of our very own retired politicians on how to live life after politics. Looking at Former Presidents Mogae, Mbeki and Muluzi, we are left thinking that Former President Rupiah Banda who is harbouring intentions of bouncing back to active politics should emulate these gallant Former leaders.
The lesson for Mr Banda provided by these Former Presidents is that there is life beyond active politics. Presidents Mogae, Muluzi and Mbeki demonstrated that one can still be useful even as a Former Head of State.
We therefore appeal to Mr Banda to remain in retirement and contribute to strengthening the country’s democratic credentials.
We also appeal to President Banda to channel his support to helping Dr Nevers Mumba ascend to the presidency in the same manner he was helped to become Head of State.
The nation should be reminded that Mr Banda was helped to become Head of State from his humble farm life in Eastern province. The entire MMD machinery rallied behind Mr Banda until 2011 when he lost the election to the Patriotic Front.
It is our humble appeal that he also rallies behind Dr Mumba’s desire and efforts to win the presidency in 2016.
As MMD youths, we strongly advise the Office of the Fourth Republican President to state its position on the issue of him returning to active politics. Mr Banda cannot be allowed to continue standing by the fence as this issue gains more ground. He owes it to the MMD and the entire nation to state his position.
In this vein, we are issuing a 14 day ultimatum to his office to state whether President Banda is returning to politics. Failure to state his position within 14 days will force us to draw some conclusions that he is indeed interested in returning to politics. At that stage, we will not treat him as a Former President but as a political opponent and we shall take him on.
We also wish to advise the MMD’s rank and file to drop the use of party regalia bearing Mr Banda’s face. By continuing to wear Mr Banda’s regalia, we are not helping to market Dr Mumba as a future President of Zambia. There is nothing to gain by continuing to put on RB’s regalia. The practice just goes to aid the confusion in the party.
The history of the MMD shows that we have always changed our regalia whenever there is a change in the party’s leadership. We dropped the use of late FTJ’s regalia when Levy was brought in as our leader. We also dropped the use of his regalia when Mr Banda ascended to the leadership of our party.
It therefore follows that dropping the use of Mr Banda’s regalia should not be a problem because he is no longer the leader of our great party but an ordinary member like all of us who subscribe to Dr Mumba’s great leadership and if any of us including Mr Banda goes against the united spirit of the MMD and want to work against Dr Mumba, we risk expulsion.
Issued by: Bowman Lusambo: MMD Die Hard National Youth Coordinator
Hahahaha Lusambo….!!!
and where is the loquacious Muhabi ? Its been long since I heard anything from him.
Lusambo is right.Though Rupiah was just new in MMD with still having a UNIP Card,the MMD Leadership helped him to become president.So let him do the same by supporting Nevers.Infact the other former presidents who attended the Jubilee celebration came to show KK,Rupiah and Sata that,there’s still life leaving the presidential office.
Bowman Lusambo is not the best person to make this plea because he is a criminal, therefore I wont pay attention to his advice. Someone credible need to make such a statement than this man who is a die hard criminal. In fact Sata is in charge and wont be politically threatened by RB’s return to political arena. There is no Zambia without Sata. Zambia is Sata. We dont want our economy to be negatively affected when Sata’s term expires. He has done so much within three years in power. The list is endless. We should now celebrate his achievements, wisdom and good leadership in this gallant leader that is God given.
@Jojo
May be you were not old enough to remember the days of “KK wamuyaya”……”One Zambia, One Nation…..One Nation, One Leader…..And That Leader, KK!!”
Ma please stop this nonsense which we spend time and resources fighting especially from 1989 till uhuru in 1991. This was the second liberation of Zambia. We paid too dear a price to be insulted your nonsense of ….”There is no Zambia without Sata. Zambia is Sata.” Never be deceived by the fake humble looks of KK; that man is dangerous if left loose. Look at how he has negatively influenced Sata who were so much loved whilst he was in opposition.
@Jojo – Ever heard the saying, “Do not throw the baby out with the bath water”? If not, look it up. Just because you don’t like the messenger does not mean that the message should not be listened to.
To me, this is wise counsel from Bowman Lusambo, who I have very little regard for, but would advise Rupiah Banda to take heed of the message. STAY IN RETIREMENT SIR AND KEEP THE RESPECT YOU STILL HAVE!
speak for yourself. Zambia is the people, not Sata.
@Jojo-Where are the right pipo to speak against this Rupiah Comeback Nosense.Even in the Bible God says:If the pipo can’t praise Him,He will raise the stones to do it.Further a donkey spoke,because one person could not listen to what God was saying etc.So if no ‘credible’ person stands up to speak,then pipo like Lusambo will.Besides many of the so-called senior members Rupiah left, are compromized characters-So keep it up Bowman,Speak.
RB SHOULD REMAIN IN RETIREMENT
I AM NOT MMD MEMBER BUT I TOTALLY AGREE WITH LUSAMBO THE RB SHOULD REMAIN IN RETIREMENT. RB SHOULD CONTINUE ENJOYING HIS RETIEMENT PACKAGE AND BE THE FATHER OF THE NATION. HE SHOULD NOT BE CHEATED THAT HE CAN WIN AN ELECTION. HIS TIME HAS PAST. THE ONLY LOGICAL THING RB CAN DO IS TO SUPPORT NEVERS MUMBA JUST AS PER ADVISE FROM LUSAMBO. LUSAMBO ON THIS ONE HAS SPOKEN A LOT OF SENSE WHICH RB MUST REASON AND ACT UPON. RB MUST REMEMBER THAT THE MMD HE LEFT IS NOT WHAT IT IS TO DAY . THERE ARE 3 CAMPS. 1 CAMP WAITING TO CROSS TO PF. I CAMP WAITING TO CROSS TO UPND, 1 CAMP WAITING TO JOIN HANDS WITH KABIMBA. IF KABIMBA CAN NOT BE A CANDIDATE IN PF. BECAUSE PF RIGHT NOW HAS GOT NO IMMEDIATE PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE. WATCH THE SPACE. RB JUST ENJOY TAX PAYERS MONEY.
We don’t want another senile septuagenarian who has to travel around with a urine bag. RB is already waddling like a duck (refer to his laying of flowers at Freedom Statue). Does he want to die in State House like Sata will very soon? These medical tours are more expensive than a state funeral.
I second your emotion, let zambia s next president be a healthy younger person, indeed the tax payer has forked out enough money that could have benefitted the country in other sectors than medical and flight bills for one person who takes an entourage of people.
Peace loving Zambian i don’t think Bowman Lusambo(CARDER) has a right to issure that stetement coz as i know the office which should issure is for MUHABI LUNGU the Nation secretary or party spoki person.
@ 50 with that politics & in MMD there is no longer such stracture.
Who inspires this old politicians? Mugabe? Someone has spoken sense. RB still has the respect of the Zambian people for conceding defeat and if he is wise enough he should remain in retirement.
What a senseless statement from the self appointed MMD youth Di.ckhead Chisambo! We dont mind your internal wrangles – they actually only help the UPND that you detest so much!!
However, let this sink into that ugly Big head that many people dont wear that faded MMD regalia because they support RB or Mumba…..peole wear that RB regalia because of extreme poverty (because of both PF and MMD policies)…they have nothing else to wear – DO YOU HAVE BRAINS left in that large head of water melon proportions??
In fact how can any id.iot like that Extra Large Nose Lusambo who only represents himself and Mumba be issuing ban orders? Where did he get those powers!
Never Mumba, enjoy that poison from that imbecile – everyone knows you have hired him as your unofficial Gun!!
I concur with you Bowman. Mr. Banda should remain in retirement so that people of Zambia can see seriousness in him. Besides, that is how he will even earn respect for himself from Zambians. He should just be an adviser wherever his experience can be appreciated. Ba Banda my mbuya never be swayed by people with politics of the stomach who want to see you disgraced when you fail to make it to State House!
There again goes the man with a big empty head of Water melon Lusambo!! He alwayz speaks SH.IT to please Never Mumba!!
For you Never Mumba and Lusambo – pipo wear that faded RB regalia because of poverty not your politics of stupidity! Nobody should even listen to your perpetual banning everything on earth!!
Never Mumba, how many things are you going to ban if you ever got elected? Dont even try to distance yourself from your Agent Chisambo!! I suppose we should all call for RB to come back – we can see that you Never Mumba use these despicable like Lusambo to do your dirty work and this would get worse if you ever got elected??
Corruption is a very big factor in the divisions we are seeing in the Patriotic Front today. PF may think building roads everywhere is a guarantee for them winning any future election. They are not building these roads with their own money; these roads are not a donation from them to the Zambian people. These are projects that are being paid for by the Zambian people themselves. It is not anybody’s money but people’s money paying for these roads. Moreover, Chikwanda himself has made it very clear to all of us that there is a lot of irresistible corruption in the road construction sector. What a shame! What a disappointment from a political party that many people expected so much from!
Bowman pliz go to your home area and stand as MP. PF pliz adopt this young man. He might have weakness but his strengths can help the party and the country
….that’s why RB could not be considered for Mo Ibrahim price despite smooth transition of power from MMD to PF…..the committee must have notices a kama hidden resistance and reluctance to give up power….there must have been some latent forces which persuaded him to give up…certainly not out of his own conviction….
This is just an intelligent conduit formulated by MMD heavy weights to use Bowman to disseminate their point of view to RB without creating any friction between RB and the real architects….
RB must just come clean by declaring him self not available for any political ‘comeback’…if he has to maintain the few who still have high respect for him….
He must be aiming for posts like that of UN Secretary General or just sit back and enjoy his retirement…..
Ba Lusambo ushe RB ni mwana wanu? Let him stand if he wants to, besides it’s the people who decides not individuals.
Yiwe Lusambo WULESHA ba ALABI kuyimilila kodi ni mwana wa NYOKO?
THERE IS NO SUCH POSITION IN THE MMD STRUCTURES
Rupia Banda, should clear himself from court cases before thinking of round 2 at state house. We have not forgotten how and his family governed this country for three years and his son is AWL.
BOWMAN, YOU ARE MY MAN!!!! YOU ARE A CORCE TO RECKON WITH THAT IS WHY UPND AND HIS EXCELLENCY MICHAEL SATA HAVE HAD MEETINGS WITH YOU IN ORDER TO POACH YOU. THEY CAN SEE SOMETHING IN YOU.
STAY TRUTHFUL TO YOUR IDEALS. RB MUST NOT STAND AGAIN. HE WAS REJECTED BY THE NATION AND HE RAN AWAY DURING THE PARTY’S DARKEST HOUR UNTIL NEVERS SEKWILA ‘DONT KUTINA’ MUMBA, LIKE YOUNG DAVID CAME TO THE RESCUE. NOW THAT ‘GOLIATH’ IS DOWN AND OUT, THAT IS WHEN BA RB BASOKOLOKA. TWAKANA, TWAKANA, TWAKANA.
lusambo you cant force us to like mumba in the party .i want RB COME BACK NOT WHAT YOU ARE SAYING FORGET.THANKS
Anyway fyenu ifyo,whetha he coms bak or nat ifwe nipali ba sata chabe
Iam convinced RB was being pushed into coming back by selfish people who have seen the attractiveness of the Party after someone has labored so much and now want to discard their friend selfishly. But important to note that RB is clearly is a States man who should not be subjected to ridicule and insults as Lusambo rightly puts it. At this moment this un healthy debate that may waste MMD ‘S attention to real issues can best be cut off by President Banda putting things straight. Mumba should not be ambushed at an 11th hour. Uncle RB , PLEASE HELP the Nation and your Party know the truth now. Don’t let cadres shout noise to the destruction and deviation of smooth Party business. At least in the next few days react positively and be a Winner of your deserved respect…
Iwe Watchman WHAT attractiveness NEVERS MUMBA has brought to MMD? DONTN BE foolish if u don’t know anything about MMD just shut your rotten mouth. NEVERS has instead killed MMD by chasing a lot of people so that he continue using the party for fundraising money for his upkeep. MMD can not lose anything if THIS fake pastor is removed because he is getting his living from MMD Money he is getting from party donors whom he has made to believe that he will win 2016 elections. LUSAMBO is a hired thug by PF MULENGA SATA CAMP to continue sing about NEVERS MUMBA because they want a weak candidate for 2016, so NEVERS is a weakest candidate they want to remain as MMD President so that in 2016 it will be easy for them to win elections especially in NORTH, LUAPULA and MUCHINGA PROVINCES
Truth pains, I can understand. Like it or not you are just disturbing MMD to divert attention. Mumba has kept MMD to date. If it had died prominent personalities would not be jostling for presidence. Given all well meaning personalities rallying behind Mumba, MMD would be a party on fire by now but all are watching from terraces. I guess there are still good and eminent personalities making up there minds now to rejoin MMD and see how they can contribute to the growth of Democracy. Not cave thinking any more. Lets learn to create a reservoir of statesmen in our beloved country. statesmen must also learn to appreciate the honor nationaly and internationally bestowed upon them. Mumba go,go,go on with your vision until the constitution declares you otherwise through vote. Don’t be…
Nevers ,don’t be discouraged. Muhabi , work hard and strategize for progress in your party. Stop mourning for the few that think MMD cant do without them. go on country wide recruitment just like other parties are doing. Provide competitiveness at election time. Speak sense to convince new members. Ignore people who think you are out there to eat from the party. Low esteemed people will always think you receive money every day from no where. Some people have danced and we have watched , assemble your team and see how they dance too. MMD, admire PF how they respect and support their president. how they support their party. Are you hired to be hitting yourselves in the back? Can we begin to see the vibrancy of the so called good chased people vividly support the party. Nalanda, Nakamba ine.
Ohh, I forgot. PF, THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR WELL ORGANISING JUBILEE CEREBRATIONS. WAS UNIQUE WITHOUT USUAL SPEECHES OF LIES. THUMBS UP TO YOU. WE LOOK FORWARD TO MANY MORE PEACEFUL RETURNS IN OUR MOTHER ZAMBIA. COMRADE ACTING PRESIDENT, YOU WERE JUST EXQUISITE,WELL COMBINED ATTIRE FOR MOTHER ZAMBIA. THAT WASUNIFYING. THANKS FOR YOUR CHARISMA. THANKS TO OUR FREEDOM FIGHTERS. PLEASE CONSIDER AS GOVERNMENT TO GIVE THEM AN APPRECIABLE TOKEN. WE WILL SUPPORT THAT POSITION. THANKS TO THE WELL THOUGHT OUT DECISION FROM BANK OF ZAMBIA TO HONOR OUR PRESIDENTS ON A K50 BANK NOTE. POSITIVE THINKING INDEED. THANKS TO ALL GOVERNMENT STAFF FOR ALL THEY PUT IN INCLUDING OUR MINISTERS. EVERYTHING HAS A LEARNING PHASE, MISTAKES WILL ALWAYS BE THERE BUT WE LOOK TO THE POSITIVE SIDE. GOD BLESS MOTHER ZAMBIA.
Concentrate on finding a formidable candidate for 2016 the economy is on its knees – comments on RB needless.
at least the message is sent. out of love and respect we commented on RB because political commentators would have easily blinded him and same people quick to run away from him if things became sour just like it is now where he almost goes alone to courts of law except for few courageous ones. RB , we comment because we love your statesmanship. people who are yapping have no idea what war or violence can do to a peaceful nation if selfishness was advanced. The man peacefully left state house and you want to drag him in mad again. No, not any time again. Let him enjoy his quietness with his loved family. But a clear voice from himself will do the nation well on his calls to come back to politics, NOT NDINE MWANA WA ANYOKO, that’s not a position clear. Lets be clear in our dealings .
WATCHMAN, DONT DESPAIR. IN THE NEXT FEW DAYS WE ARE ABOUT TO ‘UNMASK’ THIS MAN CALLED ‘TRUE BLUE’ AND ‘MMD DIEHARD’.
YOUR COMMENTS ARE VERY CORRECT AND SHARED BY MANY ZAMBIANS.
Noted and thanks.
This is one sober-minded guy. Bouncing back and clinging on to power are two diseases our young democracies must abhor. If RB gets respect, it is because he got out of power honourably. If he bounces back and Zambians refuse to vote for him, what a shame!