East MMD splits over adoptions(updated)
THE MMD in Eastern Province is split over the adoption process ahead of the forthcoming general elections.
Well-placed sources within the MMD executive in Luangeni Constituency yesterday revealed that serious problems have engulfed the ruling party in the province over the handling of the adoption process.
“We have issues here concerning the manner in which the Kennedy Zulu-led provincial executive committee has handled the adoption process for Eastern Province. And if these matters are not resolved amicably, then let those who think that Eastern Province would be a walkover in the forthcoming general elections should think again,” the source disclosed.
“The President and the National Executive Committee (NEC) just have to correct these blunders on adoption if the party is to do exceptionally well in the general elections. We are the people on the ground and it’s clear from what is happening that the provincial executive is leading the party in a wrong direction.”
The source said the adoption process in certain constituencies in the province was improperly done.
“For instance, in Luangeni Constituency, Honourable Angela Chifire came out first both at constituency and district levels. But from nowhere they brought in Noel Nkhoma former Finance Bank chief executive for corporate banking and marketing, who didn’t even do the interviews at constituency and district levels,” revealed the source.
“From what we know, Nkhoma was supposed to stand in Munali Constituency in Lusaka. But we are now hearing that they want him to contest Luangeni so that the President can appoint a Ngoni as Cabinet minister.
Who tells them that Honourable Chifire can’t be a Cabinet minister?”
The source said the adoption process in Eastern Province especially at the provincial level was marred with serious irregularities.
“In most cases, those who applied to contest certain parliamentary seats have been sidelined. The selection process was very corrupt and those who didn’t pay money were rated very lowly. This obviously poses a danger for the party and we are weakening our support base because we might end up having weak candidates,” the source said.
“It’s not only in Luangeni, we are also in touch with our colleagues in other constituencies and reports coming from Petauke are that Dora Siliya was not sufficiently interviewed at district and constituency levels and there is even a petition to that effect.”
The source said all matters arising from the adoption process had been forwarded to the provincial executive committee which is uncommitted to addressing them.
“People are just bullying their way to the top even when they know that they are weak in those areas. The President has guided that those who are weak should pave way but some people don’t want to do that. Eastern Province is very key and strategic in this election because that’s where the President comes from,” the source said.
“If we are not careful PF will end up performing better than expected and eventually the President might not do well simply because people are cutting corners at the expense of the party. For instance, in Msanzala Constituency during the interviews people were given mattresses and bicycles just to ensure that some individuals were adopted.
“It’s clear that people are just buying their way. But the truth is if Colonel Lungu is not adopted on the MMD ticket and he decides to contest the seat either on PF or as an independent candidate, then we are definitely losing Msanzala.”
The source urged the NEC to exercise maximum caution and discipline when it comes to handling adoptions from Eastern Province.
“I can tell you for a fact that the province has messed up particularly in Kasenengwa, Luangeni, Msanzala, Sinda and Milanzi, among other constituencies. In Sinda, they have relegated Levy Ngoma to second place and put Gladys Banda first, forgetting that Ngoma is the one who can win that seat easily,” the source said.
“In Kasenengwa, they have picked Victoria Kalima as number one and sidelined Gideon Zulu who is the chief’s preference. In Milanzi, the provincial executive wants Zebron Banda and yet on the ground they want the current member of parliament White Banda. Let Kennedy not be cheating himself like he was recently quoted in the Zambia Daily Mail.
“The truth is that the Eastern Province adoption process is a scandal and if endorsed by the NEC, the party will be in trouble particularly now when Honourable Lameck Mangani has quit the MMD.
They can pretend all they want but the facts are that Mangani is a force to reckon with in Chipata Central and to some extent the entire province. If we have to fight Mangani’s influence, then we need a level-headed provincial executive and not the behaviour being exhibited by Kennedy and his friends.
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Posted by special dating advice
on 1:20 AM. Filed under
They will split until no more !
No amount of propaganda shall stop RB from getting atleast 80% of all the votes in eastern province.