By STEPHEN KAPAMBWE and PEZO SIABASIMBI
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THE MMD in Lusaka has mounted pressure to oust party leader Nevers Mumba through an extra-ordinary convention to elect new National Executive Committee members.
The party’s youths assembled at the party secretariat and tabled a petition to the Provincial Executive Committee to immediately call for a meeting to address their demands.
Acting Lusaka District chairperson Moses Kalonde, yesterday presented the petition to the national party secretary Chembe Nyangu at the party’s secretariat in Lusaka.
Mr Kalonde said it was painful to see the once strong MMD, collapse.
“We would be failing in our duties if we did not mention that the MMD in its current form under the failed leadership of Dr Nevers Mumba is in the intensive care unit.
Therefore, it must be saved from total collapse from the few selfish individuals,” he said.
Mr Kasonde added that it was for the same reason that senior party officials and members had called for a convention to elect new leaders.
Mr Nyangu assured the petitioners that the matter would be handled according to laid down procedure.
Provincial vice secretary Margaret Mweemba welcomed the move to hold the convention, adding that it would unite the party.
Ms Mweemba said in an interview that there was no need for top party officials to continue fighting among themselves when the matter could be resolved by holding a convention.
Earlier, the MMD youths were stopped by Police from holding a protest concerning the leadership problems that have rocked the party and were advised to take the petition to their party national secretary instead.
MMD NEC members including the party’s two vice presidents, Brian Chituwo for administration and Michael Kaingu for politics commenced a  crusade for a national  convention after accusing Dr Mumba of failing to lead the party.
They were backed by party spokesperson Dora Siliya, former Solwezi Central Member of Parliament, Lucky Mulusa and Senga Hill MP, Kapembwa Simbao.