. MUMBA

By REBECCA MUSHOTA –

OPPOSITION MMD leader Nevers Mumba says President Edgar Lungu has shown true leadership by inviting the MMD to form an alliance with the Patriotic Front (PF) ahead of August tripartite elections

Dr Mumba said yesterday that the President had exhibited genuineness by asking to work with the MMD publicly.

“The spirit of this Constitution entails that you work with other parties in order to win elections and avoid a re-run. The President has shown willingness and true leadership when he asked to work with us,” he said.

Dr Mumba was speaking yesterday morning when he featured on Hot FM to clarify his position on forming pacts with either the PF or the United Party for National Development (UPND).

He had been quoted in the media saying that both the PF and the UPND wanted to work with the MMD.

Dr Mumba said that he had been approached by President Lungu for the two parties to work together in this year’s elections.

He said Mr Lungu had done well to appeal to the MMD in public and to him in person.

Dr Mumba said the President had appealed to the MMD while at a meeting in Eastern Province and had also chatted with him on the matter.

He reiterated that the MMD was considering to form a pact with a political party of its choice.

Most importantly, he said, was that the National Executive Committee (NEC) would sit and discuss the matter after which they would decide on the way forward.

Dr Mumba said the party was ‘not playing hard to get’ but needed time to decide on the modalities of entering the pact.

The party was ready to work with another party in the run-up to the August general elections or in the re-run.