Mon, 29 May 2017 13:01:46 +0000
By CHARLES MUSONDA
I HAVE resigned from the UPND because of dictatorial tendencies by our leaders, says Winson Siame, the party’s immediate past Muchinga provincial chairman.
Mr. Siame told the Daily Nation in a walk-in interview yesterday that the UPND’s top leadership had allegedly neglected lower organs in the party’s activities even during campaigns for the August 11, 2016 elections.
Therefore, he said, the party needed serious re-organisation if it had to remain a strong contender for future elections.
Mr. Siame, who served as UNIP Isoka MP and district governor from 1988 to 1991, claimed that UPND Muchinga leaders and members struggled to campaign as they had to sacrifice personal resources.
“I have decided to resign from the UPND because I am a believer of democracy and therefore, I want to support the government of the day, which had won elections.
“I am not prepared to go against the government in power, hence I have to resign so that I support the government in developing the country,” Mr. Siame said.
He added: “This is politics and where I feel my conscience is not free I have to resign. The arrangement in the UPND was not good since my appointment as the party’s Muchinga province chairman. I could not exercise my duties as chairman and I was not able to contact the party leadership because of lack of resources.”
Mr. Siame warned the UPND to work hard and embrace other people’s views and ideas as opposed to relying on dictates from the national party leaders.
“They should work as a team and accept views from all the people, especially local leaders in provinces because those are key people who should be supported.
“From my experience, I know how we can win people’s support. Otherwise, the future will be difficult for the UPND if they continue on the current path,” he said.
