. Mumba

By NORMA SIAME –
The MMD in Northern Province has backed party president Nevers Mumba to contest the coming presidential by-election.
The party has also questioned why former president Rupiah Banda seems in a haste to go back to State House, jokingly concluding that he might have left something he intends to collect.
Provincial chairperson Stephen Mukuka accused Mr Banda of weakening party structures and asked: “What did he forget in State House that he is so keen on going back for?”
He said Mr Banda’s actions of attempting to stand as presidential candidate following the death of President Michael Sata had polarised the MMD by creating divided loyalties among members.
Mr Mukuka, while speaking to the Press in Kasama, pledged that the party structures in Northern and Muchinga provinces would rally behind Nevers Mumba who the provincial executive considered as its bona-fide candidate in the forthcoming presidential election slated for next year.
He said unlike Mr Banda, Dr Mumba had a unifying effect after he was elected as president of the MMD as opposed to the former head of State who he alleged had let the party crumble.
While Mr Banda has in his possession an adoption certificate from the MMD touting him as the party candidate in 2015 presidential election, Dr Mumba launched his campaign among his kinsmen in Chinsali at an event that was broadcast on local community radio stations.
Dr Mumba based his campaign on finishing Mr Sata’s projects, while Mr Banda is promising a new constitution and to act as transitional leader till 2016.
To underscore the divisions that have rocked the former ruling party, Mr Mumba has garnered support from within the ranks of the national executive council in national treasurer, Mwansa Mbulakulima, National Youth Chairperson, Howard Kunda, chairperson for culture, Elizabeth Chitika and national trustee Peter Machungwa.
Mr Banda’s supporters are the likes of MMD secretary general Muhabi Lungu and Michael Kaingu.
Other members have seemingly jumped ship and chosen to endorse UPDN president Hakainde Hichilema.
Mr Mukuka maintained that all these happenings were because of Mr Banda’s actions.