A PF convention now?

Mon, 19 Dec 2016 12:08:55 +0000

IT WILL be very sad if truly a plot is being hatched by some senior Patriotic Front members against the legitimate leadership of the ruling party, which includes the removal of secretary general Davies Mwila because he is allegedly a presidential appointee.

The assertions by Patriotic Front chairperson for elections and Mandevu parliamentarian Jean Kapata that the recent rumblings by some apparently disgruntled senior party members was part of that underground movement, deserves serious attention by the rank and file of the party.

Like we have said before, intra-party democracy is one thing and outright indiscipline is another. There is a gulf in between.

Intra-party democracy is where members debate issues, regardless of how sensitive they maybe, to try and help their political party grow and democratize by making suggestions meant to cause unity and harmony. There may be disagreements and counter-proposals, but these should be within the bounds of that party’s constitution, with due respect to the leadership of that party.

A rebellion is covet or open disagreement with the established order for the sake of dragging the party into disrepute, cause disharmony or appear to suggest that the leadership of such organization has failed. When senior party members who should know better decide to call for changes in that party, which they could not have made under normal circumstances, that is being reactionary.

We agree with Madam Kapata that it is too early for PF to start preparing for another convention to elect a new leadership. The party has just won a hard-fought, bruising election that has left the country polarized. Just before that, the PF went through a potentially divisive adoption process that caused rifts in many constituencies over the choice of candidates for Members of Parliament, mayors or district council chairpersons and councillors.

The divisions we so deep that some of those not adopted rebelled against the party and stood as Independents. At least 14 of them were elected MPs. Fortunately, inspite of frictions here and there, on the whole the situation is under control.

We therefore wonder where the need for a complete overhaul of the ruling party hierarchy comes from. Those calling for a PF convention have not stated why this is imperative. The fact that the PF secretary general and some central committee members were not elected does not mean the party needs a convention or that its constitution must be amended.

President Edgar Lungu was duly elected PF president at the Kabwe convention hardly two years ago and he needs time to settle down, reorganize the party, know his colleagues better, raise resources and then decide at what appropriate time in the next five years should an elective convention be held.

No one should agitate for a convention now unless they themselves want to stand or simply want to cause disquiet in the party.

The PF is composed of committed and astute members who cannot fail to correct an anomaly in the party when there is one. The fact that the majority are quiet is a sign that all is well and everyone is busy contributing to the governance of the country and finding solutions to the million and one challenges facing the country.

This is no time for undermining others or appearing to champion lost causes. The PF does not need a convention now or in the near future. What PF needs is committed leadership and the realization and acceptance that all its members cannot be Cabinet ministers.

Members must also accept that, as President Lungu has said so many times in the past                                                                                        , new members from any political party can join PF and be appointed to leadership positions. Also those members who have been disciplined must accept their fate and reform.

Discipline and loyalty are cardinal in the conduct of all those seeking leadership. Rebellion and treachery are associated with rabble-rousers and trouble-makers.