GBM TAKES OVER UPND?

Wed, 12 Apr 2017 09:57:40 +0000

By NATION REPORTER

Geoffrey Bwalya Mwamba, UPND Vice-President, may take over the helm of the party while Hakainde Hichilema faces up to the treason charges that have been levelled against him.

According to sources Mr. Mwamba, who is vice-president for administration is automatically expected to take over the leadership of the party until such time that the executive make a definitive decision depending on the outcome of the treason trial that Mr. Hichilema is facing.

Unconfirmed reports circulating on social media even claim that Mr. Mwamba said that he had no option but take over the presidency of the party in the absence of Mr. Hichilema if convicted would not be able to stand in 2021.

Attempts to reach Mr. Mwamba to confirm proved unsuccessful. It is not clear however, if the membership will accept his presidency considering that he only joined the party in the runup to the 2015 election. Mr. Mwamba is the Vice-President for administration and is the next senior most person in the party after Canisius Banda who was vice president for politics resigned the party.

According to UPND hierarchy, the vice-president is next in line pending executive ratification after which the party would go to elections to replace the President.