The Movement for Multiparty Democracy (MMD) National Executive Committee has resolved not to hold a convention this year and has mandated their President Nevers Mumba to hold further discussion with Republican President Edgar Lungu on modalities of the proposed alliance.

This is contained in a communique released to the media this afternoon.

Below is the full communique

COMMUNIQUÉ ON MMD NEC MEETING ON 30TH JANUARY 2016

The Movement for Multiparty Democracy (MMD) National Executive Committee (NEC) on the 30th of January 2016 met at Mika Convention Center in Meanwood Area of Lusaka and resolved the following:

1. CONVENTION

The meeting resolved by unanimous vote of 7 out of 10 provinces and 33 out that 42 NEC members that there shall be no MMD convention in 2016 to elect any office bearers because the term of office of the president is five years from 25th May 2012 to 2017. The meeting noted that the NEC has powers to set the date of the convention as it sees fit as per MMD Constitution in Article 19(f), (g) and (h).

There were legal opinions presented in the meeting from two State Counsels and a Constitutional lawyer. Upon their recommendations, the meeting resolved that the next MMD convention to elect both the President and the NEC members shall be held in 2017 at a date to be decided and announced by the NEC.

2. ALLIANCES

The MMD president briefed the meeting concerning the proposed alliance with the ruling Patriotic Front (PF) as per announcement by the Republican President Edgar Chagwa Lungu that he has been in touch with Dr Nevers Sekwila Mumba.

The meeting resolved to mandate the MMD president to have discussions with the Republican president on the modalities of the proposed alliance and report back to the NEC for continued negotiations.

3. NEW NEC MEMBERS

The meeting also elected 8 new NEC members as follows:

1. Hon. Allan Mbewe as Chairman Elections
2. Mr Stephen C Mukuka as Chairman Mining and Mineral Resources
3. Mrs Rosemary Lupando Mwape as Trustee
4. Mrs Maggie Mulela as Chairperson Tourism
5. Ms Mary Chileshe as Chairperson Local Government and Housing
6. Mrs Lizzy Kapito as Chairperson Labour and Social Services
7. Mr Malama Sokoni as NEC Member
8. Mr Greenford Kalinda as NEC Member

RAINBOW Party leader Wynter Kabimba has confessed that he was a bad leader when he was Minister of Justice and secretary general of the Patriotic Front (PF) but has since repented because he now wants to be a good leader and citizen.

Mr Kabimba admitted that he made mistakes while serving as Justice Minister and secretary general of the PF but that did not mean that he could not have an opportunity to repent and become a good leader.

Answering questions from journalists after reading a communiqué by the opposition political parties at Courtyard Hotel yesterday, Mr Kabimba regretted having been faulty during his reign as Justice Minister and secretary general of the PF.

“I made mistakes when I was in the PF Government but that does not mean that I cannot have the opportunity to repent and become a good leader. I have repented. I could have been a bad leader when I was in Government. I am not perfect and I am faulty like any other human being,” Mr Kabimba said.

And Mr Kabimba has charged that the amended Constitution was not a legal document but a political one meant to prevent the opposition political parties from forming government.

Mr Kabimba said the amended Constitution would be trashed once another political party formed government because according to him, the Constitution did not reflect the desires and views of the people.

And Mr Kabimba has claimed that the current political atmosphere was not in favour of the PF and President Edgar Lungu and that the ruling party was not going to last beyond the 11th August general elections.

He said President Lungu and the PF would not be able to remain in Government after the August general elections and vowed that he was going to give away all his money to Zambians if they were going to retain the Head of State in State House.

Mr Kabimba said he had participated in many elections and had learnt to read the political landscape in the country and that according to him, President Lungu was not going to win the general election this year.

He said the Rainbow Party and other opposition political parties were going across the country to mobilise and ensure that the PF was voted out of Government.

“For those who believe PF and President Lungu are going beyond 11th August, let them come and I will give them my last dollar.

I have participated in elections and I know how to read the political landscape. I do not know who Zambians will vote for but I know whom they will vote against. The PF has no skills to win an election and we shall mobilise Zambians against the PF,” Mr Kabimba said.

SOME Movement for Multi-party Democracy (MMD) members of Parliament (MPs) who have supported President Lungu’s call for the former ruling party to form an alliance with the Patriotic Front (PF) ahead of the August 11 polls have demanded that the party should hold a national convention to elect new leaders.

The MPs said holding a general convention this year is the only surest way of making the MMD strong before it enters into an alliance with the ruling party.

The law-makers include Nalikwanda MP Geoffrey Lungwangwa, Chitambo MP Mwimba Malama, Kasenengwa MP Victoria Kalima and Sinda MP Levy Ngoma.

But Dr Mumba said it is only the preserve of the national executive committee to decide whether or not the party should hold a national convention.

HUNDREDS of Patriotic Front (PF) members yesterday turned up for a meeting in Matero Constituency in Lusaka to show continued solidarity with the ruling party in the wake of the resignation of their member of Parliament (MP) Miles Sampa.

PF secretary general Davies Chama said the support the party still enjoys in Matero is overwhelming.

Mr Chama also said he has now proved that the people of Matero knew what they were saying when they demanded the resignation of their MP Mr Miles Sampa from the ruling party.

Mr Sampa has resigned from the PF and now heads a hitherto virtually unknown Democratic Front party.

“I didn’t know what Mr Sampa was playing at because he held a press conference where he pledged support for President Lungu and also said only death would separate him from PF. But you people knew what he was doing and that is why you demanded his resignation,” Mr Chama said.

Mr Chama was speaking at a rally in Matero township, where he addressed hundreds of residents.

In attendance was PF deputy secretary general Mumbi Phiri, Kabwata MP Given Lubinda and other senior party officials.

Mr Chama also said since the PF government came into power, it has endeavoured to improve the living standards of people through various empowerment programmes it has instituted.

“In the four years PF has been in power, the country has seen massive infrastructure development. Right here in Matero, there is a dual carriageway, clinics and many other developmental projects,” Mr Chama said as the crowd cheered in agreement.

He said now that Government has built schools and hospitals among others, President Lungu will embark on a rigorous job creation programme which will endeavour to end poverty and improve the living standards of the people.

Mr Chama also said Zambians must vote into office someone they know worships the true God.

“There is a King in the Bible that chose to build a temple for the Lord and President Lungu has done the same by commissioning the construction of the Tabernacle of Prayer. Mr Lungu led the nation in prayer for recovery of the economy and rains, and as it is, the rains are here,” Mr Chama said.

Ms Phiri said she is humbled to see the leadership of the party in Matero still intact because it had been suggested that they had all left with Mr Sampa.

She appealed to the party to remain united and urged those vying for leadership to wait for God’s time.

Today’s Scripture

“Dear brothers and sisters, be patient as you wait for the Lord’s return. Consider the farmers who patiently wait for the rains in the fall and in the spring. They eagerly look for the valuable harvest to ripen.”

(James 5:7, NLT)

As You Wait

God has put dreams and desires in every person’s heart. But most of the time, there’s a season of waiting involved. Maybe you’re waiting for a relationship to improve; waiting to get married; waiting for a promotion, or waiting to overcome an illness. Much of life is spent waiting. But there’s a right way to wait and a wrong way to wait. Too often, when things don’t happen on our timetable, we get down and discouraged or anxious and fretful. That’s because we’re not waiting the right way.

Notice that today’s verse doesn’t say if you wait, it says as you wait. The fact is that we’re all going to wait. It goes on to say that we should consider how the farmer waits—patiently and eagerly. We’re not supposed to sit around discouraged; we’re supposed to be hopeful, positive and full of expectancy!

No matter what you are believing for, expect things to change in your favor. Today could be the day that God turns it all around. As you wait with patience and expectancy, you’ll open the door for God to move. He’ll fight your battles, and you’ll see that abundant harvest He’s promised in every area of your life!

A Prayer for Today

“Father, today I choose to wait expectantly for You. I trust that You are working behind the scenes on my behalf. I put my trust and hope in You knowing that You have good things in store for my future in Jesus’ name. Amen.”

Opposition political parties have pledged not to engage in violent, hate speech and tribal campaigns ahead of the August 11 general elections.

Speaking on behalf of the parties that agreed and signed a communiqué, Rainball Party leader, Wynter Kabimba says the parties will prioritise messages of peace, love and unity.

Mr. Kabimba disclosed that the parties have also resolved to push for the repeal of the public order act and the review of the electoral Act.

He says they also want government to enact the Access to information law.

Mr. Kabimba however clarified that the Consultative meeting is not meant to provide for the formation of a political alliance.

Meanwhile the convener of the Consultative meeting for political parties, Vernon Mwaanga said there is need for dialogue among political parties including the ruling party.

Dr. Mwaanga encouraged the ruling PF to be the one to initiate dialogue with the opposition because it is good for the country.

Political party leaders from the UPND, MMD, Rainball party, Green party attended the media briefing and signed the communiqué.

But Chief Government Spokesperson Chishimba Kambwili says Government will only make a comprehensive statement after studying the statement made by the opposition.

Mr. Kambwili says he has directed the Director of Media and Press in his Ministry to immediately email him the statement issued by the opposition parties.

And PF Secretary General Davies Chama says the opposition Political Parties are desperate and are seeking comfort from each other.

Mr. Chama says some opposition leaders failed to give the people of Zambia a constitution when they had the opportunity to do so.

He told a media briefing that it is surprising that some leaders are calling on people to reject the constitution after being in the forefront advocating for a people driven constitution.

Meanwhile Mr. Chama stated that the ruling Party is headed for a victory this August because of the many development programmes that President Edgar Lungu is spearheading.