By JOHN KOMBE
THE list of the candidates vying for the Patriotic Front’s presidency is a disappointment as the people had expected fresh blood to take the lead if the party was serious about creating a rebranded and vibrant political force, veteran politician George Mpombo has said.
In an interview, Dr. Mpombo described the PFs presidential race as a damp squib. He said the party has a chance of bouncing back, but needed to have the right magnetic leadership that will resonate with the current times.
He was commenting on the recent filing of nominations for the position of PF president whose elections are scheduled for the party’s general conference next March.
The successful presidential nominees are former ambassador to Ethiopia and Permanent Representative to the African Union, Emmanuel Mwamba, former minister of Youth and Sport, Chishimba Kambwili, PF parliamentary chief whip, Brian Mundubile, former Defence Minister Geoffrey Bwalya Mwamba and former Minister of Transport and Communication, Mutotwe Kafwaya.
Others are Kamfinsa PF MP, Christopher Kang’ombe, former PF Itezhi Tezhi MP, Greyford Monde, Matero MP, Miles Sampa and former Health Minister Chitalu Chilufya.
According to the veteran politician, most of the names on the presidential aspirant’s list would not inspire any new hope in the people and hence a need for fresh blood to step up.
Dr. Mpombo lamented that the development was a damp squib because people had expected an injection of new blood to reignite the party’s fortunes.
He said that this view was what would resonate with political grassroots mobilisation and create new members that would contribute to its political revitalisation. He was disappointed that the party had failed to read the political mood.
Dr. Mpombo said despite having some young Turks like Mr Sampa and Mr Kan’gombe, the list had been hijacked by the rejected old-guard who were expected to take a back seat.
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