Sata asks all Patriotic Front members to march in one step

PRESIDENT Sata has asked all Patriotic Front members to march in one step of unity and halt any attempt to create ‘parallel structures’ that can weaken the party.
The President also restated his ‘anti-endorsement’ position which he said has the ability of causing him “embarrassment” as he tries to focus on service delivery and poverty reduction, which the greater Zambian population elected him into office for.
This is according to a presidential statement issued in Lusaka yesterday which also warned against “malice” and “dishonesty” among members of the party from all ranks.
Without naming names, President Sata warned against those who “have been establishing parallel structures aimed at promoting their peculiar agenda” to stop confusing the party.
The Head of State made the stern statement for the first time since the apparent ‘sibling rivalry’ took root in the ruling party. President Sata warned that, “It is these machinations (parallel structures) which are grounded in malice and dishonesty that have stoked reactions from other members who feel such actions have potential to weaken the cohesion of the party.”
Having set the tone on how he expects party members – big and small – to behave in order to achieve the common agenda of job creation and poverty reduction in future, President Sata stated:
•From now on I [President Sata] want loyalists especially those who serve in my administration to concentrate on the development agenda.
•It is the ‘widening and deepening’ of the areas of development directed towards poverty eradication that will induce the people of Zambia to renew our mandate in 2016.
•Zambians will not be taken for a ride by anyone, let alone the opposition parties, that have only an agenda of ‘deception and hatred,’ as they become increasingly aware of issues at hand.
President Sata advised the party leadership that ‘supervision and consolidation’ of these development programmes should leave the PF administration with no time for squabbles.
In recent weeks, the ruling party witnessed an increase in differences between some party members and the grass roots that raised concern in the country compelling leaders like former head of state Kenneth Kaunda to call for love and unity.
Conversely the Church also held inter-denominational prayers to seek divine intervention and re-unite the country whose cherished harmony momentarily hang in balance as the differences escalated.
Meanwhile, President Sata during a swearing-in ceremony of Mumbi Phiri as High Commissioner to Kenya and Mirriam Mulenga as Ambassador to Turkey at State House yesterday restated the call to end the squabbles.
“The public squabbles we have witnessed in the recent past must end and end immediately,” he said.
“It is expected that in a dynamic party like the PF, stakeholders will express various views and take positions. It is, however, desirable that members use established channels to express their views.”
Mr Sata said there is a compelling need to avoid confrontations and polarising the party, in the process “impairing unity and fellowship which are the foundation of the PF”.
The President said: “I have consistently pointed out, there are serious development programmes throughout the country. These offer an unassailable platform for all of us in the ruling party.”
His take on endorsements was that he is: “Not desperate for endorsement and while I thank the rank and file for expressing confidence and affection, I must ask all our ardent supporters to desist from the temptation of endorsement campaigns which well-intentioned as they are, have the effect of causing me embarrassment.”
President Sata said when the time is right, he will indicate whether to accept or refuse the endorsements.