By CATHERINE NYIRENDA –
TWENTY-THREE years after losing power, United National Independence Party (UNIP) has declined almost into oblivion but president Tilyenji Kaunda insists that the party is still relevant in the political arena.
Mr Kaunda says time is ripe for UNIP to bounce back into power, as it was the only party that could still boast of good governance and genuine membership.
The   once ‘mighty’ party that governed Zambia from independence in 1964 to 1991, can only boast of one councillor and no Member of Parliament and has lost all elections in the recent times.
The current president took over leadership in 2001 and has remained in power despite many attempts by members urging him and the other leaders to relinquish positions and pave way for ‘fresh blood’.
Mr Kaunda insists he is legally in office because the last national congress that the party held provided for a national council to oversee the Central Committee.
But the party constitution states that the national congress shall be held every after five years and new members elected to manage the party.
When longstanding leader, Dr Kenneth Kaunda stepped down, veteran politician, Kebby Musokotwane , who is now late, took over the reins and was later replaced by business executive Francis Nkhoma.
Mr Kaunda subsequently took over in 2001 and during his tenure, the party has not gone for any national congress.
Some members of the party have said that party leaders have been clinging on to power because of the property that the party still has.
But Mr    Kaunda said his team is in power legally as the national council has been renewing their mandate in office.
“The constitution was changed following the challenges that the party faced to hold the congress, the national council was given a mandate to make decisions on its behalf.
“The national council, which is in charge of the central committee, has on several occasions held meetings, including renewing the mandate of the leadership of the party,” Mr  Kaunda said.
He said the central committee has also been meeting when need arose.
The most recent central committee meeting was held two weeks ago where it was discussed, among other things recent calls by some members for Mr Kaunda and his executive to step down.
Mr Kaunda said members have the right to air their views on the status of the party but that the leadership was working on ways to revive the once indomitable political establishment.
It is currently conducting an audit to gauge its strength at the grassroots and reorganise its structures.
He said once the results from all parts of the country were received, the central committee would chart the way forward on quickly bouncing back to power. Is UNIP still relevant and alive?