Kambwili eludes presidential ambition question

Outspoken Patriotic Front Minister Chishimba Kambwili has failed to give a cartigorical answer on whether he has presidential ambition, reports Zambian Eye Correspondent in Lusaka.

Speaking on ZNBC’s Sunday Interview monitored by Zambian Eye Sunday evening, Kambwili who is one of those reported eying to succeed President Michael Sata when he steeps down said ‘Presidents are born and not made.’

Kambwili who is Youth and Sports Minister could not give a catigorical answer on whether he has ambitions for the presidency or not despite the programme host Gravazio Zulu seeking an answer from him.

When pushed further, Kambwili just said it was illogical for anyone to start campaigning for the PF or republican presidency because the position was occupied. He said it is naive for anyone to start positioning to take over from President Michael Sata. He said one person in reference to Wynter Kabimba went round to campign for the presidency.

One person went round campaigning,  where is he, Kambwili asked. Kabimba was fired as Minister of Justice and PF Secretary General.

He said one does not need to campign if he or she is born to be president. Kambwili cited the late Levy Mwanawasa who had retired from active politics and six years later to be awoken in the mid of the night to be the MMD presidential candidate.

Kambwili said the same happened to former president Rupiah Banda who was called from retirement at his farm in Eastern province to become Vice president and later Republican President.

The Outspoken Minister said even Michael Sata people were saying he would never be president but after three attempts he was elected as Zambia’s fifth president.

Kambwili who is also the National Youth Chairperson for PF in the Central Committee dismissed reports that the ruling party was divided due to succession. He said instead the PF was more stronger than ever before after the firing of Kabimba. He accused the Post Newspaper spreding lies that the party was divided after their preferred candidate Kabimba was fired.

He also dismissed reports that the PF is a violent and indisprine party. He says he does not support indiscprine and has always denounced such vices.

Kambwili said the party was solidily united and behind the leadership of Michael Sata. He urged members to respect the party hierachy.