NDC suffers another set back

Fri, 09 Feb 2018 12:36:00 +0000

By BENNIE MUNDANDO

THE National Democratic Congress (NDC) has suffered a setback as its Luapula Province chairperson Paul Kakuta Mbulo has resigned to join the ruling Patriotic Front (PF).

But NDC chairperson Eric Chanda has maintained that the departure of Dr. Mbulo would not derail the party’s progress as it was never short of credible leaders in the province who would continue with its mobilisation programmes.

In a letter dated February 6, 2018 and addressed to the NDC secretary general, Dr. Mbulo said as a grassroots organiser and student of former President Michael Sata, he had decided to reunite with the party where his heart and family was.

He said after deep reflection and consultation with his friends and family, he was convinced that he needed to go back to the PF, the party he had fervently served since he joined it in 2003.

“I wish to inform you that after a deep reflection and consultation with friends and family, I have resigned as member of the central committee in charge of education and chairperson for Luapula Province with immediate effect. It was an honour for me to work with you and other members of the NDC and serve in these respective positions and I will forever cherish the opportunity given to me.

“As a grassroots organiser and a student of late Michael Sata school of political mobilisation, I have decided to re-join the party of the heart and the family I have been with since 2003, the PF, under the able leadership of President Edgar Lungu,” reads the letter in part.

And when contacted for a comment, Mr. Chanda said the party secretariat was in receipt of Dr. Mbulo’s resignation letter but said his departure will not halt the party’s incredible progress in the province as there were credible people who could fill the position he had left and continue with the mobilisation programme.

He said while the party had lost one member in the province, it had received a lot of members and that as politics was about members coming in and out, the NDC respected Dr. Mbulo’s decision and wished him well in his future political endeavours adding that the NDC will soldier on even without him.

“Yes we have received that letter notifying us that he has resigned from the party as he has opted for greener pastures to join the PF but in politics, we expect members in, members out and so, we have lost one member but again, we have received a number of members.

“We are not short of leaders in Luapula Province and I am sure his vice for now will be there to mobilise the party in the province. We just wish Dr. Mbulo well for his decision to join the PF and we shall soldier on as a party,” Mr. Chanda said.