The opposition United Party for National Development (UPND) has unanimously endorsed party President, Hakainde Hichilema, as a sole candidate for the forth-coming Presidential election to be held early next year.
UPND Vice president Canicous Banda disclosed the development at press briefing held at party secretariat in Lusaka today.
Dr Banda said the endorsement was arrived at yesterday by the highest organ of the party, the National Management Committee (NMC), attended by all UPND Members of Parliament (MPs) and other senior party officials.
Dr Banda, who was flanked by other senior party officials, said Mr Hichilema is a meritorious candidate to contest the Presidency.
“Our party, which met yesterday, has endorsed our leader Mr Hakainde Hichilema. He is a meritorious leader to contest the forth-coming Presidential poll. The NMC of our party unanimously endorsed Mr Hichilema because he is the only one to carry on where late president Michael Sata left,” Dr Banda said.
At the same press briefing, former Lusaka Province Minister, Sony Mulenga’s son, Gabriel, and former UNIP Isoka MP, Wilson Siame, defected to the UPND.
The duo said the UPND has good policies to steer the development of Zambia and that Mr Hichilema is an outstanding leader with quality leadership style.
Meanwhile, Dr Banda has urged party members to be peaceful during the 90 days transition period when Zambian goes to the poll slated for January, 2015.
The UPND Vice president condemned the infighting in the ruling Patriotic Front, saying it was denting the good image of the country.
And UPND National Chairperson, Mutale Nalumango, urged the Zambian people to vote for Mr Hichuilema.
Mrs Nalumango claimed that Mr Hichilema is a tested leader and this is the best opportunity for the Zambian people to rally behind him.
She echoed the UPND Vice president that the infighting in the ruling party is a confirmation of bad governance and leadership of the PF.
She called on the Zambian people to scrutinize all those vying for presidency.
But PF Deputy Secretary General, Bridget Atanga, in a separate interview, dismissed the infighting in the ruling party.
Mrs Atanga categorically said there is no infighting in PF and advised the opposition UPND to concentrate on its own internal affairs.
Its “Now or Never” a Do or Die situation.
Viva HH Viva UPND !!
God is greater than ANY CREATURE ON EARTH.
VIVA UPND VIVA HH. One Zambia One developmental dream!
HH is the man to bring sanity to Zambia.
Vote HH and UPND.
If Zambians want more confusion, more lies, paga fighting, more corruption then they should vote PF , MMD and the coalition of tuntemba parties.
Those serious about transforming the Zambia into a good, peaceful and prosperous country, the only choice for you is UPND.
Mrs. Atanga. Still stuck in the Donchi Kubeba mentality. Who doesn’t know that your PF is in total chaos. Its like a headless chicken.
If, Madam you cant see that what is happening in the PF is NOT “categorically infighting in PF?” Then I beg to have your head medically examined.
For the first time LT have shown a good picture for HH. LT there is more good pictures for HH out there.
LT you are panicking because your favourite party has lost direction. Why publish two article of HH being endorsed as if it was something new?
Have you lost it?
@Atanga, PF has 2 Sata trains, one driven by Guy Scott other by Edgar Lungu, only one shantter who is Miles Sampa… those trains will collide!!
HH will fix it for you.
Now that’s the face of a president. If Zambian’s choose a drunk diabetic who stole money from his clients and is abrogating his own party’s constitution, a liar who has changed positions on why he transfered power, then I will be ashamed to be Zambian.
Indeed it’s now or never for Mr HH. Lungu is busy antagonising Scott meaning he won’t have easy access to the national treasury and choppers to transverse the country so no excuses this time for UPND. But I wouldn’t bet on HH and his team to go further north to sell themselves, they are likely to camp in their stronghold for the better part of the remaining campaign season.
I guess this is the time to give PF the RED CARD!
What does the UPND constitution say about adopting a candidate? Just curious, I have never heard of HH winning an election in his party.
Then either wake from your slumber or come out from whatever cave you are hiding yourself.
@Bwana Mkubwa
Don’t you think being in a curve is better than living among people like you who can’t think beyond where their hair reaches? It this lack of ability to observe and look through things that lands with useless leaders. We have the right to question whoever aspires to rule of us about what they have done and what they have failed to do for us to make better informed choice.
Rest we end up with another 1D01T with endless powers.
A vote for HH is a vote for my family and my future. A vote for PF is a vote for more confusion and lies. A vote for MMD is a vote to go back to the past.
When did UPND hold a convention? Its always HH until the end of age. You say HH is tested leader, when was HH tested with leadership , not even at a ward level. HH has never managed a group of people and has never entered a council , how can he be a tested leader. Sure , you are living in another world than Zambia. HH is going to lose the coming by-elections for the fourth time.
It pains but that’s the truth.
Just like PF. How many times did Sata hold a convention? Kaili PF is Sata. I’ll tell you how many times, once and he was the sole candidate so there was no point of even holding the convention. UPND also held a convention and the only difference was there was more than one person vying for the seat of president. So whats your point?
Its getting ‘heavy’ for PF I pity them.
In fact PF KILLED SATA, ths is a message whch will spread to ALL ZAMBIANS.
Sata had weaknesses BUT his weaknesses where his STRENGTHS at times … NO PERSON is ‘ALWAYS BAD’.
NEVER WILL A SYMPATHY VOTE HAPPEN to these manslaughters in PF.
Its “Now or Never for HH” !
YES PF KILLED SATA,THAT’S WHY THEY DIDN’T MENTION WHAT KILLED SATA AT THE BURIAL.ALL THE SPEECHES WHERE SILENT ON THE CAUSE OF DEATH. THEY DENIED SATA’S ILLNESS,SO THEY KILLED HIM .
Not sure what good Lungu or HH may bring but politicians and govt need to rotate, as in the state Bush senior republican, Clinton democrat, Bush jr Rep. OBama dem.
So for stability change the govt HH has order and discipline in his party and he is the right man.
u may not like him but his qualities will help Zambia for better.
@Truth hates
I understand your hatred for hh,it must be very painful sweatheart,but dont worry we shall look after you but don’t you think it is time to test the difference between upnd and panga family. I only hope that your hatred of hh is not tribally inclinated and incubated.
Zambian cabinet can not be formed from one province. 90% Of MPs from one province. That means all the ministers and deputy minister will come from one province. Zambians can’t allow that any way.
They have allowed it under PF 90% of ministers are from one region.
HH does not need to become a ward councillor in order to understand the duties of a president. So far he articulate issues of economics,development,poverty ,health,education etc,better than those who served as councillors before. Zambia does not need a politician at the moment but an economic manager in order to fix dislocations in our economy,caused by politicians or political liars in PF
You are right about being a councillor and thats a non starter to measure someones abilities or lack of. The cardinal questions however are:
1 – Has he ever won an election within UPND? If not, the consequences are severe. What happened to Chisanga and Sikota when they tried to compete against him?
2- Can we not equate his popularity in the party to that of the late MCS (MHSRIP) or even to that of Cosmo Mumba or Chipimo or Sinkamba within their personal parties.
The fact is we don’t know and we will never know if he never holds elections within his own party. This denies everyone to democratically gauge how popular HH is amongst his close peers. We don’t know who is better between him and VP Banda or even Gerry.
We don’t need this at National level. We have suffered enough kuli…
Imwe mwemasaka mwe ,HH is not a politician is a businessman,whether mountains or climbing’s HH is not going to win the by elections .
Joxer, it does not work that way. Bingu was an economist but he destroyed the economy of Malawi. Bakili preformed better economically. So ba HH may be a big gamble!
@ Grand
Please don’t exhibit your ignorance,the president has power to nominate 8 MPs and can choose or appoint any mp regardless of political affiliation,just like sata and mwanawasa did,though he may not appoint those sata called useless
PF power transition problems are far much better than what we had seen under UPND where a declaration was made that only a Tonga can be a president in that party
if only a Tonga can be a president for UPND tomoro it will be only a Tonga shud be at state house. if that is the case why shud other tribes vote for HH?
@ joxer,
To form a govt you need ministers and their deputies, if HH nomites 8, the number still is below. Unless all UPND mps from Southern become ministers.
@ soler,
Those were words from UPND, only a Tonga can be a president of thier party. This is a reason why HH votes have been declining, from 24 % to 22% and finaly to 18% in 2011. This time around it will be 14%
A misguided mind hatched that thought and spoke those unfortunate words. Why should that remain your standard for rejecting all Tongas?
Grand ,You are very wrong in your thinking
HH will not make very big government like PF ,where a ministry had 3 to 4 D/Ministers ,not in HH’s government.
HH will not create un neccessary possition in order to employ relatives,friends and wavies like was the case with PF.
Ministries like for CHIEF will go.
In short HH will run a small government and save money for development only.
You think that will happen with all my Tonga brothers waiting for jobs and thinking now is their turn? Do you think PF MPs will remain there if they loss the president or they will simply defect to UPND and reverse the imbalance in parliament. I can never be surprised if HH worked with Winter, Nanda, worse Munkombwe.
Koswe, am not Tonga but I know that most Tongas are intelligent and already have big jobs. That is why UPND does not have as many brainless and jobless cadres who have time to run in the streets being id!ots the way PF does. And you know this is true.
My brother its not me who said that only a Tonga can be a president of UPND. Records are there, not even HH condemned that cauz that has been official positions of UPND
Quit the ugly thought. You are perpetuating error and encouraging disunity.
HH IS THE INCOMING PRESIDENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF ZAMBIA.
TO DAY ZAMBIANS ARE ASHAMED OF HAVING VOTED PF IN GOVERNMENT. ITS TIME NOW FOR ZAMBIANS TO VOTE HH AS A PRESIDENT OF ZAMBIA WITH HIS DISCIPLINED TEAM OF MPS . UPND AS PARTY IS FOR PEACE, RESPECT AND DEVELOPMENT. ZAMBIANS ARE TIRED OF PF PANGAS CADRES AND FIGHTING.
YOU CAN IMAGINE A GROUP OF CADRES GOING TO FORCE OUT AN ACTING PRESIDENT WITH ALL THE INSTRUMENTS POWER AND AUTHORITY. COUNTRYMEN AND WOMEN. LET US NOT REPEAT THE MISTAKE AGAIN, WE ARE JUST GOD’S BLESSED NATION. WE CAN NOT ACCEPT SUCH KIND OF BEHAVIOUR FROM PF. WHO DONT WANT TO RESPECT THEIR PARTY CONSTITUTION AND THE REPUBLICAN CONSTITUTION. IF I WERE EDGAR LUNGU MYSELF. I COULD HAVE HUMBLED MYSELF TO THE ACTING PRESIDENT THEN BE CHOSEN TO STAND ,NOW I CAN SEE NO…
To all UPND supporters,you seems you know nothing about Zambian political landscape,Copperbelt Lusaka ,muchinga,luapula &Northern still remain PF strong hold,central I can say 60% belongs to PF,Eastern 50% belongs to PF believe it or not its a fact ,so if you look on this analysis 3 provinces namely north west,Southern & western won’t be enough to take HH to state house.
@?Mazabuka Fan
It’s individuals who vote, not provinces. Your analysis is premised on tribal voting. What a shame! Fifty years after independence we still have people who think along tribal lines like you!
hh bakamunaya nakabili kuli ka Lungu. Just wait
Tsoka Msinde chimanga chilinda moto. Thats a chewa proverb. They way I see it, HH will have it easy if either Scott or Sampa will be the candidate for PF. But sorry for him if Edgar is the candidate. Hence luck for HH if Sampa is the candidate but sorry for him if Edgar Lungu is Candidate. Dr. Canisius Banda should understand the chewa provern better. If HH loses to Edgar then he should pack his bags and quit politics. He will be a good for nothing politician. So January for him is make or break for him.
When the UPND go to a convention to elect their presidential candidate. Anyway, the party and it’s candidate are losing the by election so it really doesn’t matter who they pick as the presidential candidate
Of course only the Tonga’s will vote for Icilema, not the majority Zambians, don’t you know up to now?
Or so you think! It’s One Zambia One Nation.
you are the people who confused kk caling him wamuyaya when actual no one wanted him any more sata became tribalist because you were boot leackers rb picked from the poor farm started stealing and you couldnt advise him no to. today you want lungu so that tomorrow you get his powers for rb let us go back when sata wanted henry you were all in shells cawards hh is wining my dear that is why you are scared and will voted even in eastern province by the struggling farmers viva hh viva upnd viva dr c banda
Oh thats also news!!!
Ichilema can’t rule Zambia he lacks national character…..
“…lacks national character…” Not surprised you think like Ferdinand Marcos. You must be his grand father!
Wina azalila! People like Anderson Mushala oh sorry Andeson Chisala, Dudelove, Jay Jay, Wnzelu will die of BP when PF wins in Jan 2015. Problem with UPND is that they celebrates on internet. They already imagine themselves at State House. There is Luapula, Northern, Muchinga, CB, Central, Eastern, Lusaka. Ba UPNend mulimbe. Na 2015 will cry
@Dudelove
Unfortunately in this country its the “many brainless and jobless cadres who have time to run in the streets being id!ots” who are king makers! Who made Sata popular? Who is making us even think of Edgar? So go find them if you want to win elections. Just imagine a right minded person spending time to choose a president from a list of slogans like Pa Bwato, Pankoloko, Pa Maka, PaMutima, PaKufenta, Pa Chamba, PaMpoto…( whats Fr. Bwalya’s sologan?)
U r doomed if u look up to intellect when the majority of voters lack it. They view those who show intellect ati “ni ba some of us” who will just steal and enrich themselves more.Thats why Edgar, from Chawama will sell compared to HH from Kabulonga.
HH needs to get dirty! but don’t allow him to dance in public! was disaster…
cont’d
he danced. LOL
Koswe! Don’t crack my ribs with your honest truth! These cadres have been joined by a lot of grade 12s.
Apparently because of dishonesty and stealing resources, these guys have seen people become rich and their own noses. It started with siding with with whoever has money at bus stops like the Nsandas and who else could afford them a minibus or market stall or anything.
Now they hate the some of us attitude because jobs became aligned with who you know. They have now realised their freedom to put who they like in power. Unfortunately it is only those who identify with them.
HH you know the terrain. You have been there before. You have what it takes. Your party appears the most disciplined and better focused. Let the rest gallop in the dust. You deserve a landslide victory.
Unfortunately for HUNGRY Hyeana (HH) I dont see victory for him or UPND. He’s a small sheep trying to find his place in a game of wolves and lions. save your monies for 2021!
Not when there is no one in PF manning the goal posts! It is going to be a walk-over for gallant HH. He has already proved his mettle. Thankfully, PF is dead and MMD is dead alive.
PF is exhibiting signs of acute chronic diarrhea and is suspected to be suffering from a well-known terminal illness. MMD on the other hand, is still in ICU for who knows how long? Much as I hate to see PF conclude the shortest stint in power ever, by any political party in Zambia, I believe it will be good riddance to bid them farewell. Their record has been painfully brutal. Who really wants to see an accumulation of that? HH and UPND remain the only viable choice for Zambia.
This is why people say this party is full of selfish chaps. So it is okay to adopt HH thru the NMC but it is wrong for Edgar Lungu to demand the same. That’s why you need to concentrate on yo forever failing party instead of poking yo fima noses in other parties issues. Every time a leader from upnd speaks they have to also talk abt PF. Tell us what u gona do which PF failed. Not just pretending to be angels when we know you…
Beee, different constitutions.
Why this UPND party doesnt subject itself to internal elections? It operates on endorsements which is not good for democracy. Am therefore afraid if HH wins, he will ban general elections and opts for endorsements to rule Zambia in perpetuity .
I really want a unifying figure to bring Zambia together and HH a Tonga man will be the first of his tribe and not an Easterner or a Benjamin (Bemba lol my mum was bemba) and after HH.maybe a Lozi then a Luvale. Zambia should not be ruled by one sect of people. Am Cewa and have been angry at tribal politics that have sidelined HH who is a non violent man. He won me over in way he was calm and mourned Sata with dignity although I detested politics of Mr Sata. All the best and please Zambia don’t dissapoint.