YOUTHS SHOULD REJECT RUPIAH BANDA
As the nation puts to rest His Excellency Michael Chilufya Sata, we wish to alert the nation that some old and retired politicians are working tirelessly to position themselves for the presidential by election.
We have credible information that former President Rupiah Banda has intensified his efforts to woo support from several stakeholders towards his bid to return to politics.
Mr Banda is on Tuesday evening set to meet several chiefs and other traditional leaders with the intention to convenience them to support is ill intentioned moves to return to active politics.
The Chiefs and traditional leaders who are in Lusaka attending the funeral of late President Sata have been invited to Mr Banda’s residence where they will asked to support his candidature.
It should be stated that Mr Banda has a democratic right to pursue his political interests at an individual or national levels.
But we also firmly believe that Mr Banda’s return to politics is bad for Zambian politics and does not promote the growth of our democracy.
Instead of converging around Mr Banda, well-meaning Zambians should encourage Mr Banda to focus on his role as a statesman and advisor to the nation.
We ask, in whose interest is Mr Banda’s return to politics? Are the Chiefs serving the interests of their subjects by attending Mr Banda’s clandestine meeting?
At the Heroes National Stadium during the requiem mass, it was pleasant to see Mr Banda warmly chatting with Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta. We however wish to advise Mr Banda that he should realize that the region has moved on and the majority of leaders are now young and vibrant.
Mr Banda should take time to consult the young Kenyatta how is father Jomo led the way for young politics in Kenya until his death in 1978.
The fact is Mr Banda abandoned MMD shortly after losing power in 2011 at a time when the MMD needed him most.
The party faced a lot of challenges and its leaders were persecuted and it almost got deregistered but Mr Banda offered little or no help.
As loyal members, our memories are still fresh of the efforts by gallant members such as late Vice President George Kunda who challenged the deregistration process of the MMD in the courts of law. We also remember that as Mr Kunda was running up and down to the High Court, Mr Banda was away enjoying his coffee in Boston as a Guest Lecturer.
If he chooses to return to politics, Mr Banda will have the dishonor of having Robert Mugabe as the only age mate in active politics in the region.
The questions should be answered honestly if we are to reach consensus on whether Mr Banda should be accepted back in mainstream politics.
Moreover, Mr Banda’s return to politics is an exercise in futility because he does not even have a party ticket. MMD currently has a leader in Dr Nevers Sekwila Mumba.
These intentions by Mr Banda and his supporters smacks of greed and self-centeredness because this is the same Mr Banda who went about saying that it was not him who lost in 2011 but that it was the MMD that lost.
So we challenge him to prove his perceived popularity by forming his own political party or reviving the old UNIP.
The year 2014 is a unique opportunity for young Zambians to stand and be counted on the nation’s quest for brand new leadership.
This year Zambia has entered a new Jubilee after 50 years of self-rule. The death of Mr Sata also marks the end of the old generation leadership in Zambia.
Issued by: Bowman Lusambo-MMD National Youth Coordinator
11/11/14
Sata closed the door for the 70.s in presidential candidature. We don’t want to be specialist in hosting presidential funerals. This is now about economic independence bwana
Bring RB, Never Mumba, Edgar Lungu they will take just 5% of the vote.
HH has already 75% opinion polls win.
Will this be the stamp message of the MMD to preoccupy the Mumba’s campaign in this critical election? This is why every rational actors is saying to the opposition parties, prematurely making impulsive pronouncements that you are ready for the election even before you have built internal partisan and external Grand opposition community consensus is dangerous. What measured capacity in resource mobilization and campaign machinery true of a credible opposition is in place?
Beware because you risk facing members ready to lynch you live for this utopia you are espousing recklessly.
I really do not understand why someone should come out so determined to “expose” nothing and rant on about RB’s comeback. We have a constitution and that constitution allows RB to stand for any elections including Presidential ones. Why should someone take it upon themselves to change the rules of the constitution simply because they dont want someone back as President? Let him do what he wants and it will be the voters to decide his fate. Some people….
I am not getting it with this hysteria. Is this the party status or its your own acts of aberration synonymous with deviants? Zambia is a constitutional republic anchored on democracy and universal rights. I suppose RB, Felix Mutati, yourself, Dr. Mumba, and indeed any good standing member of the party is at liberty to aspire and make himself available for public service.Whats wrong if any member decides to subject himself to the verdict of Zambians? Its good for our nascent democracy.
Well articulated. I am also sad and annoyed at the prospect of Banda coming out of retirement. He will only stand to lose the little credibility left in him. I love the man, but surely he must realize that at 77 years old, it is rather too late for him to consider standing for any position in MMD. What makes people force themselves on others. Clearly, the intentions are not for the benefit of Zambia, but for his family and close friends to come and have a final round of looting. For God’s sake his wife has breast cancer and presidency is a highly demanding job, when is he going to nurse his wife? This is highly selfish of him. If he cant put his wife’s health first, do you think he will put your interest first?
If you have a cadre like Bowman Lusambo issuing statements on presidency, then it shows you that the party has lost discipline and probably structures have collapsed. Such statements should be issued by the party spokesperson or president. I have even lost track on who the MMD spokesperson is.
People are just commenting on rb with little understand.believe it or not,rb is not going to stand.he has been accommodating both camps on this issue but the family wants him out of politics and he will do just that.
Anybody from another party is surely much better than Sata.
We just need to sweep the entire slate clean and start afresh. No known liers, plunderers and traitors any more. We all know them. Why pretend? I urge my fellow common Zambians not to be carried away by the wind, by all the noise but to rather be rational as we head into this Presidential by election. We have a chance to change the course and direction our country takes.
So what if he wants to stand. Please guys we are tired of name calling! Be impartial in your reporting. Educate us on the confirmed characters who want to go for the top job but don’t choose for us. If he qualifies then let him stand. Standing does not mean automatic presidency.
Me nad my family its HH chabe for a new start.MMD or PF is history.50yrs of wondering in the wilderness is Gone.Lets give a chance to an economic manager.Dr moneroe says its dagerouse to intrust leadership to person who is finacailly an stable ,He will first attempt to statisfy that need first.When I look around I can see that in Lungu ,Mumba and many others.Leadership is about what a leader can offer to the people his is serving and not the way round.HH is financially stable and is a man of one wife and upright children.He is of the mature but energetic age.for me he fits the Bill.
Well spoken Bowman. Good article. If RB has any foresight, he will not run for office.
Rb stay away from politics mmd just want your money they are brock…..lungu unopposed…..
He has every right to stand and any opposing views, especially coming from the likes of MMD thug Bowman, should be taken with a pinch of salt. Of course it would be wise for RB to keep the status of an elder statesman. Zambia is in transition or as our donors put it, in crisis, all because of statements issued by uneducated party unofficial spokespersons. What we lack today is credible leaders, doubt it if HH is also capable, worst is any candidate offered by the ruling PF, headless chicken. We pray that the Almighty provides us with what is best for us.
Come on guys let us be objective in our contributions. Lets us not mistake opinions for facts. RB has a DEMOCRATIC RIGHT to stand. The only right you Lusambo has in that regard is to offer advice, which he can either accept or refuse. RB can also meet with anyone he feels like, and it’s not up to you Lusambo to call such meetings as clandestine unless they are illegal according to the laws of our land. The problems with us Zambians is deep meddling in every issue with little or no information. Last week someone (probably Lusambo ) labored on giving reasons why RB shouldn’t stand without standing in RB’s shoes. Give me a break
Just retire old man…Nevers is far better than u
I like this man, His Excellency Rupiah Banda, HERB, but his time has come and passed.
I would rather see him serve in a more advisory position, similar to KK.
HERB did well during his tenure of office and has nothing further to prove.
Sir, please rest and guide the youth from the background.
#OneZambia
Without prejudice I wish to earnestly ask my old man, much loved of me as Statesman to resolve in himself not to embarrass us and himself with political temptations. Much as he may have that right and free will decision, it is important to listen to the people. RB has our respect as a nation and internationally. What is it that he wants to come and do. No, No No. It is time people discerned. If Nevers cant stand PF now under Edgar Lungu, then let MMD for now support Edgar as opposed to bringing on board people who are supposed to rest and enjoy their and time now. What is wrong with us Africans kansi. We are still in mourning mood though campaigns can rightly go ahead and we are getting detracted with old fables. Is it failing to read the sky that Sata’s death has put sympathy on our…
This is a Party in decline. Useless ambitions from RB followed by useless pronouncements from Lusambo.
I was thinking the so called Bowman was a good youth but now, i do not have respect for this boy maybe this boy is one of uneducated boys who do not see how the situation is. Nevers has failed MMD and if lusamba thinks nevers can win, just wait people may even opt to support HH than the man who does not even know where to start from. RB was forced to relinquish party presidency by such foolish people. You will see who RB will support during this by election. Even in Eastern province people don’t want your nevers because they feel betrayed.