PF CC suspends debate on mode of picking president, as Lubinda and GBM join the race

Given Lubinda, Edgar Lungu and GBM at rally addressed by Sata

The Members of the governing Patriotic Front (PF) Central Committee have suspended debate on the mode to adopt a presidential candidate for the forthcoming Presidential by-election, reports Zambian Eye Correspondent in Lusaka.

And former Ministers – Geophrey Bwalya Mwamba and Given Lubinda have joined the race for the PF presidency.

The MCC meeting that convened Monday afternoon agreed to suspend the debate on the mode until after all those willing to aspire for the presidency have filed-in their nominations.

The Party’s Chairperson for Elections Sylvia Masebo says once the presidential aspirants are known, party President Dr Guy Scott will then hold a meeting with the presidential hopefuls with a view of rallying behind one candidate who will go unopposed.

Ms Masebo tells ZNBC with this option it means the party can avoid going for the general Conference. She says if this option fails, Dr Scott will then consult the Law Association of Zambia or a group of lawyers, Members of Central Committee will deem fit to interpenetrate the party constitution with regard to how a presidential candidate can be adopted.

Ms Masebo says at the moment some members of the party contend that the MCC can amend rules and regulations and therefore allow for a candidate to be adopted by the central committee instead of the General Conference.

She however says that Acting President Guy Scott does not want to do short cuts in adopting a presidential candidate to run for President in the forth coming Presidential elections.

Dr. Scott has also moved the deadline for filing-in of nominations from Tuesday to Wednesday to allow more members to file-in.

Meanwhile two more candidates have announced their candidature for the ruling party’s presidency.

Geophrey Bwalya Mwamba popularly known as GBM who is former Minister of Defence and currently serving as Member of Parliament in Kasama Central announced his candidature in Lusaka on Monday morning. He also called for a General Conference to elect the PF presidential candidate.

“I Geoffrey Bwalya Mwamba today the 17th of November 2014 wish to declare my interest in the upcoming nominations for the Patriotic Front president and presidential candidate for the forth coming presidential by elections,” GBM announced at a media briefing. “I pledge to build on the legacy of our beloved late President by insuring that we carry on with our endeavor to uplift the status of all Zambians by investing in people, especially the poor, as the productive and creative core of the economy.”

Given Lubinda the former Minister of Foreign Affairs and current Member of Parliament for Kabwata announced his candidature on Monday though his contesting is conditional.

“I am available, I will avail myself for consideration for the position of president for my party,” he said. “This is dependent on the playing field being level, free and transparent because I do not want to be part of the problem but the solution.”

Lubinda says If the conditions are not right he will not contest for election.

This brings the number of candidates to three after Matero Member of Parliament Miles Sampa announced his candidature on Friday. More are expected to join the race that is expected to be heavily contested.