Confusion characterised the filing in of nominations for the UPND Parliamentary candidate in Livingstone today, with party members claiming Matthews Jere and former Justice Permanent Secretary, Joseph Akafumba, had adoption certificates.
Some UPND cadres almost blocked Mr Jere from filing his nomination papers demanding that the process be halted to await clarification from the party secretariat on who was the right candidate between him and Mr Akafumba.
UPND Livingstone Constituency Chairman, Milford Maambo, who was manhandled and only rescued by alert police officers, urged electoral officials to change the filing in of nomination papers from 10:00 hours to 14:00 hours for the party’s senior officials to give direction on the matter.
In an interview with journalists shortly after the fracas, Mr Maambo said the party had issued two adoption certificates.
“We have two candidates with adoption certificates and the party’s national management has not given direction as to who is the right candidate, so what will happen here if Jere files his papers will be illegal,” he said.
However, Mr Jere proceeded to file in his nomination papers successfully, saying the process had not been easy for him.
“We are aware that there was a cartel peddling lies that I would be arrested today so that their preferred candidate would take my place but I am sure they feel embarrassed now,” he said.
He denounced violence and called for peaceful and issue-based campaigns.
And when contacted for a comment, Mr Akafumba said the party gave him a standby adoption certificate to file as a candidate in an event that Mr Jere was stopped from filing in his nomination papers due to investigations pertaining to the corruption and suspension of the Livingstone City Council.
He said it is unfortunate that there was a misunderstanding but clarified that the party did not want to be caught unaware.
He said Mr Jere was the adopted candidate and he would support his candidature.
Meanwhile, former Livingstone District Commissioner, Omar Munsanje, successfully filed in his nomination papers and called for completion of pending projects and initiation of new ones.
Mr Munsanje also pledged to address water, sewer and sanitation challenges for the benefit of residents.
“My chances of winning are high because PF has done a lot for the people of Livingstone. As someone who worked in government, I have information on what the people of Livingstone need on my fingertips,” he said.
And UNIP candidate, Ian Munkombwe, said he would bring radical change to Livingstone once elected and would ensure the city was identified by its status as the tourist capital.
MMD candidate, Michael Kashinka, said he would promote cross-border trade with neighbouring countries.
Mr Kashinka emphasised the need to attract investors and more tourists to the city to increase economic activity.
In terms of factions within the party, the aspiring Member of Parliament claimed there was unity in the party and members would support the party leader who would be deemed to be the right one.
Charles Namuchana, an independent candidate, said he would work on the roads, dilapidated bridges and rid the city of corruption.
Another independent candidate, Edwin Simwimba, said he had done his homework and deserved to be elected as he was working in collaboration with the local authority in offering services to the needy in communities.
By press time, Rainbow party, United Progressive Party (UPP) and independent candidate, Joram Mwinda, were yet to file in their nomination papers.
People must know that being an MP is not the ultimate goal of life. You can still make meaningful contribution to the country outside politics
You take a leaf from me. Politics is not the best option. I enjoy my freedom to make money legally and successfully. I have respect though for akafumbwa for his response to the JERE ME or NO one else. Aka can be useful outside parliament
Sincerely speaking, this is lack of leadership on part of UPND. How can they fail to provide leadership in straight forward matter like this. If someone is being investigated with corruption that reason enough not to adopt them. Ati corruption ifume, kanshi ebalafwaya elo balefwaya corruption ingile.
HH is not ready to rule this country, thats why even up todate he has not identified his running mate. In leadership you don’t let people you are leading to be guessing especially on matters of hierarchy structure. Does it mean HH doesn’t who could succeed him if today he dropped dead? Any good institution be it church, company etc should have a clear number two. Please HH you can do better than this. This does not agree with what you claim to stand for.
To the contrally this proves prudent planning,especially when you consider the crookedness of those running the electoral process.Aka has summed up for you,back-up.
Honestly speaking this is turning out to be a mess.Are this people genuinely interested in helping to transform or fix the economy as they proclaim or just set on getting jobs?This is turning out to be more confusing to ordinaly people.Is this lack of strategic planning? Ladies and gentlemen,this is the calibre of people will be debating economic policies in paliament.God help us
The issue here is that HH must have said he didnt want a non-Tonga in L/Stone period !
Shut-up your tribal talk wont help you,it has expired.
But I’m disappointed. Jere still succeded despite the allegations of corruption against him. What is wrong with the UPND leadership. Better to vote for someone else
Chances are very high that Jere, if elected MP, will defect to PF should UPND fail to form government. Watch the space.
Why are you not disappointed with your kateka who had his practice license taken away but more concern with unproven allegation,what a shame.
Comment:Congrates Jere, show them! You are on a winning team, Fix Livingstone for the youth
Desperation in the upnd camp. 1- Chongwe constituency, Masebo in court facing charges for abuse of office. 2- Livingstone constituency, Jere in court for ilegal allocation of land. 3- Nkana constituency the candidate is also in court for ilegal allocation of land and obtaining through false pretence.is this the party that ve saying we will fix it when embracing corruption is top on their agenda.
@ Gino Latino, In addition, all those adopted UPND candidates with pending court cases will be compromised MP should they win elections and their party fails to form government. The ruling party will threaten them with court action and they will all defect to the ruling party. We saw it with Masumba, Namulambe, Mpombo and company. Looks like there are no strategists in UPND.