63 PF MPs endorse Lungu, cadres clash with police

Sixty three (63) Ministers, Deputy Ministers and Patriotic Front Members of Parliament have endorsed the candidature of PF Secretary General Edgar Lungu as the party’s presidential candidate.

And Police have clashed with PF cadres at Cabinet Office where Acting President Guy Scott is scheduled to hold a press briefing on the resolution of the consultative meeting.

The resolution to endorse Mr Lungu was made during a consultative meeting held at Government Complex in Lusaka this morning.

Announcing the resolution, Kafue Member of Parliament Obvious Mwaliteta said there was no need for the party to go for the General Conference to elect its presidential candidate.

Mr Mwaliteta adds that even if President Michael Sata was alive he would have endorsed Mr Lungu as evidenced his decision to assign him with so many responsibilities including leaving him with the instruments of power before he left for London for medical treatment.

The Central Committee has since been petitioned to adopt Mr Lungu as the PF presidential candidate.

PF National Chairperson Inonge Wina who received the petition says she will take it to the Acting President for consideration.

Speaking to journalists shortly after endorsing Mr. Lungu, Chiefs and Traditional affairs Minister Nkandu Luo accused some known senior PF officials belonging to what she has termed as the ‘cartel’ of wishing President Sata dead.

 

Professor Luo says the way they have handled the whole issue shows that they were waiting for President Sata to die so that they take over the party leadership.

Professor Luo says Mr. Lungu was in Angola for official duties when former Republican President Michael Sata ordered that he returns to remain the Acting President in his absence.

And Kafue Member of parliament Obvious Mwaliteta says they will not rest until Mr. Lungu ascends to the presidency.

And Home Affairs Deputy Minister Steven Kampyongo has warned PF cadres against being used by some known individuals to champion their cause of stern action.

Mr. Kampyongo says his ministry will ensure that there is order in the country.

Among the notable high ranking officials present at the meeting included Sports Minister Chishimba Kambwili, PF Secretary General Edgar Lungu, Lands Minister Mwansa Kapeya, Information and Broadcasting Services Minister Joseph Katema Health Minister Joseph Kasonde.

 

Others were PF Central Committee Members Willie Nsanda, Mumbi Phiri, Mwenya Musenge, Ngosa Simbyakula who is also Home affairs Minister, among others.

And supporters of Mr Lungu broke into wild jubilation upon hearing that the consultative meeting had endorsed their preferred candidate.

Earlier Police in riot gear dispersed the placard carrying cadres who were chanting solidarity slogans for Mr Lungu and denounced acting President Guy Scott.

 

QFM NEWS