PRESIDENT Banda has described Kelvin Sampa who was disqualified from contesting the position of MMD national youth chairman at the just ended national convention as a “special” member of the ruling party.
Officially closing the MMD second extraordinary convention at the Mulungushi Rock of Authority in Kabwe on April 7, Mr Banda said after being barred from participating in the elections, MrSampa did not speak ill of the party.
Mr Banda said unlike others who said all sorts of unpalatable things about the MMD, Mr Sampa remained at the convention centre and pledged continued support and loyalty to the ruling party.
“When I was going to vote, I saw Mr Sampa and paused to shake hands with him. These are the kind of members we need. You are a special member,” he said.
Mr Banda said a good member remains loyal to his party even after being disciplined.
[pullquote]Mr Sampa was disqualified and suspended from the party for allegedly bouncing a K12 million cheque which was supposed to be a donation to the ruling party in March last year.[/pullquote]
Mr Sampa together with former MMD national youth chairman Patrick Musonda were on April 5 disqualified from contesting positions at the convention on grounds that they were not in good standing with the ruling party.
Mr Musonda filed nomination papers for the position of MMD chairman for transport and communications.
Mr Sampa was disqualified and suspended from the party for allegedly bouncing a K12 million cheque which was supposed to be a donation to the ruling party in March last year.
He also allegedly solicited funding from a co-operating partner using the name of the MMD.
Meanwhile, Mr Sampa said in an interview shortly after the closure of the convention that he is humbled and honoured by President Banda’s remarks about him.
Mr Sampa said after being disqualified, he remained calm and decided not to be vengeful against the MMD.
He said his desire to be MMD youth national chairman was not based on personal interests but the interests of young people in the country.
Mr Sampa said he had pumped a lot of money into his campaigns and was confident of winning the position but he has put whatever happened to him in God’s hands.
“The decision to deny me participation in the elections broke me but I remained calm. I have been loyal to the party and the President and what he said about me has vindicated me.
“MMD members should not engage in politics of vengeance and hate, which are retrogressive,” he said.
[Zambia Daily Mail]