Alliance for a Better Zambia President Father Frank Bwalya said events of last last week have shown that acting President Guy Scott has no influence in the ruling party.
Featuring on the Voice of America’s Straight Talk Africa programme Fr Bwalya said the Patriotic Front was struggling with succession as the party was not institutionalized but depended on the efforts of the late President Michael Sata.
“His (Dr Scott’s) influence within the party has now been shown to be almost nothing,” he said.
[pullquote]“This is more or less like a personal to holder party and the owner of the political party who formed it and controlled it has left.”[/pullquote]
“And since this is a struggle on who takes over control of the party, candidacy of the party and since in Africa it is difficult to unseat a government in this manner there is this belief that once I am nominated as a candidate for the ruling party then it is given I am eventually going to become Republican President.”
He added: “So you can see that it has now been exposed that his influence may not have been as much as some of us may have previously thought. And it complicates matters that he himself cannot stand. He is on record himself saying that the first born of the late President Sata was disqualified by a provision in the constitution that was tailored specifically to block former President Kenneth Kaunda from standing after he was removed in 1991 when multi party democracy was introduced.”
“However this time around the threat on peace and stability is not coming from the public but from within the ruling party, that is where the threat is coming from, which is something very different,” he said.
“Therefore this seems to be attracting more attention of the Zambian people than the funeral itself. Zambians are more thinking about these power struggles within the ruling party that in fact the peace is at stake.”
He said the PF was anchored on President Sata leaving the structure disintegrated at a time when they were expected to unite.
“In the case of PF, this was the party that was formed mainly by an individual, the one who has died,” he said.
“He controlled the party, the party turned out to have a structure that was more authoritarian. Other people who were part of that collegial responsibility don’t seem to have the same influence. The structures and processes are not fully developed so this is not an institution.
“This is more or less like a personal to holder party and the owner of the political party who formed it and controlled it has left.”
Things in the PF blew up when acting President Guy Scott fired Secretary General Edgar Lungu last week Monday but the party hierarchy rose up in arms forcing Scott to rescind his decision less than 24 hours later.
Go away Mother Bwalya
What party do you belong to and who are you make a voice of reason. You are just frustrated and a subtle racist for me.
Thanks
Where was Fr. Bwalya? He demonstrated maturity by keeping quite during mourning of Sata.
Thank you Thank you
Mushota for Presidency
Zambians open your eyes. Guy Scott is simply trying to save our country from the lawless Kung Fu Drunken Master. Our country needs to move forward. Vote the drunkard and soon you will be crying again. Learn once please. Once beaten, twice shy.
Scott should not have accepted the PF acting president. The order left by Sata of where Lungu was acting should have continued and all PF should have supported him. Now it opens a can of worms.
Monze, your reasoning is dangerous – so the constitution does not matter? It’s such thinking that has continued to reign havoc in Africa, in general.
So are you saying Malawians, who demonstrated obedience/fidelity to their constitution at a similar time, are backward? Remember, Bingu-Wa-Mutharika had anointed his brother but Malawians chose to respect their constitution by saying no to Peter-Wa-Mutharika.
Awe sure – crying my beloved country!!
the constitution, does not provide for automatic transfer of power to the VP if there is someone appointed to act as president other than the VP! this interpretation was deliberately made to take care of the cartel’s needs. when someone else is appointed that person becomes senior to the VP that why all along Scott was saluting Chikwanda, Lungu e.t.c wait for the courts to rule and you will see that the AG was just serving his friends at bwinjimfumu road’s interests!!!!!!!!!
You are joking. Edgar Lungu knows that Kambwili and Chikwanda are after that same kafulo left by HEMCS, and they will dribble him. I suspect that actually it is these same guys who are supporting Guy Scott to push for the general convention because that is where they will clearly dribble Edgar. Edgar has already lambasted them. Edgar Lungu knows this and that is what he is fearing. Kambwili, GBM, Lubinda, and Chikwanda are gunning for this full-throttle and they are funding their campaign adequately. Guy Scott does not support anybody, he just doesn’t want to see the party fall into pieces while he is the one at the top to call the shots. He doesn’t want to be blamed for failure to govern afterwards. I’m sure after he has handed over he won’t mind what they do to each other.
These guys are proving to us that they cant manage this beautiful country…. I am really disappointed that i once supported them but anyway it was for MCS. this time its Viva …..
I am PF but l believe you have a point here.
you are very correct about Guy Scot stance very neutral but dealing with madstocks
Confused, fragmented and overwhelmed. After dawn, they will be leaking wounds of defeat. That is if a sympathetic vote does not wing the wheel in there favour.
HH here he comes……….
Viva Scott. Just concede as in the Scottish referendum.
The best thing ever to happen to Zambia is having someone with nothing to lose if his party lost elections.
At least we are assured of smooth transition Scott won’t be bothered.
Deliver us a smooth transition and u will go down history books as a champion of democracy.
mamamamamama… even in MMD ya vunduka guys.
Their NEC is meeting ths Saturday they want to chase Nevers Mumba……hehehehe.
Ma politics apa Zed. Hehehehehehehe I am just laughing my lungs out people.
God loves Zambia. Let them get confused.
mamamamamama… even in MMD ya vunduka guys.
Their NEC is meeting ths Saturday they want to chase Nevers Mumba……hehehehe. The REASON MUHABI is mute these days.
Ma politics apa Zed. Hehehehehehehe I am just laughing my lungs out people.
God loves Zambia. Let them get confused.
i have no respect for guy scott
i cant trust him anymore for wanting to couse anachy in our land by firing edgar the man of the moment
chi guy scott we say noooooooooooooooo
bwalya sata is dead so go and campaign and have influence
Father Bwalya is a finished unprincipled bugger who misled this country to vote for PF. What is he talking about now! Just shut up, you frustrated conman.
If lawlessness is allowed to grow, particularly the undermining of the Institution of acting President, Zambia will end up like South Sudan, DRC, Colombia, Libya or Mexico. Believe me its no fun.
PF should adopt ” BASHI NONO” The prophet, just a day before the NONO parents were chatting , the COBRA died so please adopt bashi NONO
Disagree with Fr. Bwalya. Here is the reason. THE ONLY PERSON WITH MONEY TO CAMPAIGN IS GUY SCOTT. BECAUSE AS THE ACTING PRESIDENT, HE CAN USE GOVERNMENT FUNDS TO CAMPAIGN (TRANSPORTATION ….). THAT MEANS A LOT. THE OPPOSITION CAN ONLY MAKE IT IF THEY UNITE.
Good piece Fr. Bwalya.
I’m always extremely wary of clergymen who dive into politics.
Ba Father, where have you been ponse apa? Killing more black chickens? You ve been so quiet. Honestly speaking, your silence is a blessing to the nation. You contributed to us being in this position today. Go and focus on keeping your flock together. You are not needed here.
I think whoever is advising Edgar Lungu is giving him wrong advice. Edgar has already shown Zambian by his behaviour that he falls short of presidential material. How can you be unleashing cadres against an acting president? Otherwise why don’t you issue a statement against cadres going to the extent of attempting to storm an office where an acting president is? Edgar the office of the president deserves respect. Are you always drunk or what?
Iwe Bwalya it’s you who has no influence anywhere
True and very right
Ika duka chain……………………………