THE MMD has denied that it has entered into an alliance with United Party for National Development (UPND) in which it has been resolved to field Hakainde Hichilema as the presidential candidate.
Addressing journalists at a media briefing in Lusaka yesterday, MMD national secretary Muhabi Lungu said discussions for a possible alliance between the former ruling party and the UPND had not been concluded.
The media briefing at the MMD secretariat was almost disrupted by cadres suspected to be aggrieved over the suspension of the party’s president Nevers Mumba and the failure to endorse him as the presidential candidate for the January 20, 2015 presidential election.
The pro-Rupiah Banda supporters, however, blocked them from entering the premises.
Mr Lungu said following consultations with party founding members such as Vernon Mwaanga, the party opened discussions with the UPND for an alliance in the presidential election.
“The party did discuss the fact that we can continue to discuss the alliance but some of our colleagues who we have been in discussions with as a possible alliance are going round trying to get signatures from our members of Parliament, from our party cadres, particularly in Western and Southern provinces, to try and get signatures to say that we have agreed on an alliance and the presidential candidate is from another political party and the MMD will not field a presidential candidate,” Mr Lungu said.
“We will punish any member of Parliament who is not going to abide by the decision of the NEC and it is also being disingenuous on our partners because really if someone is doing that to you, are you going to sit down with them on the table to discuss other issues? You will not.”
Mr Lungu said the MMD NEC’s stance was that if it was going to engage in an alliance with the UPND, it was going to be on an equal basis.
He warned that the alliance risked failing if one party wanted to enter into collaboration with the aim of belittling the other as being a junior partner.
“The position of the NEC of the MMD was that if we have to go in any form of discussion with our colleagues, it should be on equal basis.
You don’t go to any negotiation to say you are going to endorse me as president or you must endorse me,” he said.
Mr Lungu maintained that Mr Banda was the MMD’s presidential candidate although he had only verbally accepted the nomination.
There was no coup d’etat against Dr Mumba as he was still the party’s president whose suspension could be lifted if he exculpated himself and followed the MMD’s constitutional provision of the disciplinary code.
Beyond the election period, UPND will need MMD for governance, given that we likely to have the presidency and parliament held by different parties. However, MMD will need UPND to recover from the blow of the RB saga and survive a collapse at the 2016 ballot.
Muhabi, you are smarter than this. Do not be short sighted. RB will soon abandon ship again. You have been forewarned.
Muhabi Lungu is a dangerous SNAKE
UPND@MMD merger is the only way for a landslide victory. Allow HH to lead, it will be an easy victory
MMD BECAREFUL WITH THESE CHAPS IN UPND WHO ONLY THINK THAT HH IS THE ONLY CHAP WHO CAN LEAD ZAMBIA ESPECIALLY WHEN IT COMES TO PACKS OF POLITICAL PARTIES.
HH WILL NEVER RULE ZAMBIA MARK MY WORDS.
Muhabi Lungu, biggest moth with smallest brain in Zambia.
Who in his reasonable mind will make alliance with a bunch of criminals which are solely responsible for ushering PF Government.
Can Lungu tell electorate about policy of seasoned crook RB instead of trying to use other parties to justify her miserable existence?
Ops, mouth instead of moth
viva HH Zambian ombama give him a wey to plot one
U must be mad how can allow HH to lead when MMD is bigger than UPND?this is why many people hate HH as he always wants to be number 1 when he has never even been a ward councilor,amazing!it’ll be shocking to see MMD accept be lead by HH an under 5 in politics!please voters lets unite as well and defeat these plunders in MMD and UPND!Its PF again and Edgar Lungu for presidency!Muhabi Lungu dont cheat yourselves in MMD that HH can accept to be vice,never.he’ll be on top as he has already printed campaign materials as a presidential candidate!ask Edith Nawakwi or PF how selfish HH is!we shall defeat both of u soon!
@ eddy
Lungu has three distinct portfolio and it was and is still useless embezzler.
RB was President and it was and is still certified crook.
Why, you need to have experience to have honesty and vision?
BRAVO EDDY, UPND ARE DAY DREAMERS hh CAN NOT BE THE PRESIDENT OF ZAMBIA BECAUSE OF HIS EGO
Combine the whole opposition parties…..pf will pull through…
I totally support the 48 MPs who have signed the agreement(today’s POST). That’s the way to go,UPND/MMD alliance is a must and it will save us from high mealie meal prices and the madness going on in the country. Kasebanya,Miles,Mulenga sata,GBM and Bashi NONO.Is this a chiefdom.Lets be serious.We want a new generation of leaders and RB does not fit in the equation.So the alliance wil consider NEVERS or HH but not RB.
UPND WILL WIN THE PRESIDENTIAL EVEN WHEN ALL PARTIES IN ZAMBIA FORM ONE ALIANCE AGAINEST UPND.MY ADVICE TO HH IS NOT TO CONTAMINATE HIM SELF WITH THE LIKES OF MUHABI FIMO FIMO AND MAD MEN DINASTY (MMD).
Anyone who thinks that MMD can win a Presidential election must be seek in the head.
Anyone who thinks that MMD can win a Presidential election must be sick in the head.
?
Koma this same muhabi is quite scruffy,looks lyk one cmin frm havin a jar of chibuku at sum local tarven
I think Never Mumba must be shedding tears in a corner somewhere for having facilitated the election of Muhabi Lungu as MMD National Secretary. The man is a chameleon. Even going to an extent of siding with this useless thief called Nyama Soya.