Mon, 19 Jun 2017 09:12:57 +0000
By BENNIE MUNDANDO
ALL those agitating for anarchy in the party will be expelled because we cannot condone violence in the PF as our priority is to mobilise the party unlike what is happening in the UPND who are busy perpetrating propaganda, PF deputy secretary general Mumbi Phiri has said.
And Mrs. Phiri has noted that there were a lot of misconceptions over the party’s decision to have President Edgar Lungu as its sole candidate for the 2021 elections as some people had misinterpreted it to be a deterrence to other members with intention to stand for the position of party president.
Speaking during the PF interactive forum at Chrismar Hotel yesterday, Mrs. Phiri urged members to remain loyal and disciplined by engaging with their leaders as opposed to taking an antagonist approach in airing their differences saying the ruling party would not hesitate to expel erring members.
“To our members, discipline is cardinal. Learn to talk to us as your leaders because the party will not condone violent members and those who will engage in the vice will be expelled from the party,” Ms. Phiri said.
And Ms. Phiri noted that there were a lot of misconceptions over the party’s decision to have President Lungu as its sole candidate for the 2021 elections as some people had misinterpreted it to be a deterrence to other members for the position of party president.
“There is a misconception where some people think those with presidential ambitions will be blocked from contesting. I want to make it clear that the party is not blocking anyone. All the party is saying is that it has identified president Lungu as its candidate for the 2021 elections but we are going to the convention in 2020 to choose the party president.
“Those of you who have presidential ambitions, come and bring your nominations. The best candidate amongst those who are going to contest including President Lungu, who has been endorsed by the party, will win. This doesn’t mean that if Mumbi Phiri wants to stand as a president, she should be stopped. No! if Mumbi Phiri, feels she can be president, she’s free to go and file in her nominations with her supporters with no intimidation,” she said.
