Edgar Lungu - Man to be Zambian president

Lusaka
THE Patriotic Front (PF) central committee yesterday endorsed its secretary-general Edgar Lungu as candidate for the forthcoming presidential by-election, but acting President Guy Scott has maintained that only the party general conference can make such a decision.
And PF chairperson Inonge Wina presented a petition signed by members of Parliament, including Cabinet and deputy ministers, endorsing Mr Lungu as the presidential candidate to Dr Scott.
Later in an interview with journalists, Mrs Wina said that the process of adopting a party candidate is on-going as views by members in other parts of the country could yet be submitted.
The committee also appointed Mr Lungu as the new party president, but Dr Scott said he is not aware about that.
The central committee adopted Mr Lungu after receiving the petition from 63 PF and opposition members of Parliament, according to a statement issued by PF director for information and public relations Brian Hapunda.
“The central committee, which sat today at Government Complex, has adopted PF secretary-general Edgar Lungu as party president and presidential candidate,” the statement reads.
Mr Hapunda said the central committee formed a quorum as provided for by Article 51 (2), which states that the quorum is constituted by half of its membership.
The 63 MPs, including Cabinet and deputy ministers, who met at Government complex, endorsed Mr Lungu as the presidential candidate by signing the petition.
But Dr Scott said in a telephone interview he did not have any idea about the appointment of a new party president.
He earlier said at a press briefing yesterday the PF will select its president at a general conference with wide representation from all provinces.
He insisted that the PF must respect the democratic principles that underpin the party’s constitution.
“I am disturbed that some central committee members wish to select a candidate without a general conference,” Dr Scott said.
He said he will uphold the demands of democracy by following the party’s constitution.
Dr Scott urged the media to be careful in their reporting and ensure that both ruling party and the opposition are covered equally.
He said there is need for journalists to keep their reputation by being honest and fair.
“We want peace to prevail and loyalty to the people who are the voters,” he said.
Earlier, after receiving the petition presented by Kafue MP Obvious Maliteta, Mrs Wina said the petition would be taken to Dr Scott to inform him about the decision.
“Our MPs have resolved to endorse Mr Lungu as sole candidate for our party, so we shall take this petition to Dr Scott and consult him on whether it will be necessary to have a general conference to further endorse him or we can just inform the provinces and districts that this is what we have decided.
“We are one family, it is not necessary to fight for succession but listen to what the people want,” Ms Wina said in an interview with journalists after the meeting.
In the petition, the MPs state that they do not want superfluous succession wrangles in the party.
And according to Zambia National Broadcasting Corporation television, Mr Lungu said he was humbled by the decision taken by the central committee.
The MPs demanded that the central committee select the presidential candidate and avoid the general conference for now in order not to misuse and deplete party resources because that money can be used to boost campaigns.
“The other factor is that we do not have the luxury of time to begin primary processes of adopting a candidate when the central committee has the mandate to suspend certain clauses and articles of our constitution,” it stated.
According to Mr Hapunda’s statement, the central committee meeting was chaired by Ms Wina and was attended by Dorothy Kazunga, Esther Banda, Elfredah Kansembe and Gerry Chanda.
Others were Yamfwa Mukanga, Dr Ngwasa Phiri, Dr Joseph Katema, Given Lubinda, Willie Nsanda, Jean Kapata and Samuel Mukupa.
Also in attendance were Emmanuel Mpakanta, Sylvester Mtonga, John Chisanga, Peter Kajimanga, Robert Mwale, Mwenye Musenge, Freedom Sikazwe and Elizabeth Phiri.
The rest were Benson Chali, Sturdy Mwale, Susan Kawandami, Attan Mwamba, Mwanasa Kapeya and Fabian Chiposo.
Meanwhile, Dr Scott has relieved Mr Hapunda of his position as PF director for information and public relations, according to ZNBC TV in its 19:00 hours newscast.