The opposition People’s Party has endorsed the candidature of fellow opposition FDD President Edith Nawakwi in the forth coming elections.
Speaking at a joint media briefing in Lusaka today, PP President Mike Mulongoti said he has in the past supported the candidature of male candidates which he said has not benefited the people.
He said though some have performed slightly better than others the support he has rendered has not benefited the majority of the people of Zambia.
He said after extensive discussions his Party has come to a conclusion that it is politically prudent and beneficial to the nation to support the candidature of the only female in this year’s elections.
He said Ms Nawakwi’s candidature and many other female hopefuls should not be seen as a favour to the women but that it is their right to fully participate in the development of the country.
He expressed confidence that Ms Nawakwi would raise above the challenges as she has demonstrated to be of sound character in the past.
He also said the two parties agree on most the important things the country is facing including economic and social challenges which he said need competent hands to deal with.
And welcoming the endorsement Ms Nawakwi said not all endorsements are valuable and that her male counterparts should learn from the US Democratic candidate Hillary Clinton who turned down an endorsement from one of the richest men in America.
She said her party waited for ideas and clarity on what the value of any endorsement be because what is important is not the endorsement but the value of the endorsement.
She said PP’s endorsement was a reconnection of ideas as President Mulongoti and her were together during a number of fights for the people of Zambia including the for fight democracy and the fight against the third term.
She also condemned the continued political violence saying fighting will not deliver votes.
She said the biggest enemy the country is facing is poverty and that poverty will not be fought with broken limbs.
She further appealed to her ” brothers” to lay down their arms because the only time the country needed arms was during the fight for Independence saying that time is long gone.
She explained that her worries were about the future as political parties are not selling their manifestos but are busy trying to prove who the most powerful is.
headless chicken you’re mike
This comedian in the name of Mulongoti. Does your PP really exist in Zambia? Mulebako serious naimwe, you had your happy days when you served under Chiluba and Mwanawasa. The problem with you guys is that you are too blind to see that your song has long stopped playing, even you are still insisting that ‘ndekeni nchili ndeshana’.
That time when you miss SATA with his nashala neka party statement. Edith should aspire to be treated equal not bringing in the Gender issue. the same Hillary she is talking about doesn’t take about her gender. if you want all women to support you..what of me who wants to support you???? just talk about policies
“After extensive discussions within his party?” Peoples party has people? Just asking
Discussions with who Mulongoti also. He should not go anywhere near Chainama. They will nab him for confusion upstairs. He is totally mad. Who did he discuss with when he is alone in his party. Too much ganja
Ekupena uku. A party leader endorsing a leader of another party. Only in Zed.