. Sata

By DELPHINE ZULU –
LATE President Michael Sata’s son, Mulenga has announced his candidature to contest the presidency but threatened to withdraw if the Patriotic Front (PF) chooses to adopt its candidate through the Central Committee instead of the general conference.
Mr Sata, who filed his nomination papers yesterday, said that succession wrangles which had rocked the ruling party prompted him to declare his intentions to join the presidential race in order to continue from where his father left.
Addressing the media at Lusaka’s Nakatindi Hall, Mr Sata also offered K50,000 as contribution towards the holding of the conference, with K18,000 coming from his monthly allowances while the K32,000 was from the councillors.
He challenged PF members of Parliament (MPs) and other presidential hopefuls to also make contributions towards the convention, which he said would unite the party unlike choosing a sole candidate.
“It is disappointing that wrangles have deepened in PF instead of us organising ourselves to strengthen our party after the demise of my father. To this effect, I wish to state that after consultations, I have decided to file in my candidature on the PF ticket,” Mr Sata said.
The late Head of State had always encouraged people to compete for positions in the party, including the Lusaka mayor who had done so several times and succeeded.
Mr Sata insisted that the party should go to a conference because the central committee seemed to be taking sides, which was not supposed to be the case if they believed that the PF was a democratic party.
“I shall withdraw my candidature should the central committee go that direction. Actually they should know that many vacancies are still not occupied as they expired, an indication that the entire committee is expired. Let others also be allowed to be part of these meetings like the councillors who are contributing to the party,” Mr Sata said.
“Politically I am suitably qualified to aspire to the highest position of our party due to my record of being elected through a ballot and I am not afraid. Since all aspiring candidates have indicated that they are not afraid, I don’t see any reason why a few individuals should thwart the wish of the people.”
Mr Sata becomes the fifth person to declare the presidential candidature after Kasama Central MP, Georffrey Mwamba, Matero MP, Miles Sampa, former ambassador to Nigeria Seleman Pangula and Kabwata MP Given Lubinda.