Decision for RB to contest Alliance leadership lies with MMD – Bwalya

Opposition Alliance coordinator Frank Bwalya says it has not been considered whether former president Rupiah Banda will lead the Alliance or not despite him being its member.

Mr. Banda, who is the immediate past republican president, has hinted at making a political comeback amidst suggestions that he does this by becoming the leader of the Opposition Alliance formed by the oppositions Movement for Multiparty Democracy (MMD), Alliance for Better Zambia (ABZ), People’s Party (PP), Zambians for Empowerment and Development (ZED) and the All People’s Congress (APC).

In an interview with Qfm News Father Bwalya, who is also ABZ leader, notes that Mr. Banda is a member of the Opposition Alliance by virtue of being a member of the MMD.

He states that the MMD is therefore in a better position to decide whether or not to field Mr. Banda as its candidate to contest the position of lead of the Alliance and the 2016 presidential candidate when the elections for the position are due.

Father Bwalya, who could not state exactly when the Alliance will hold this election, has disclosed that the Alliance is very close to electing its leader.

He says the agreement of the Alliance is that each political party member is entitled to field any of its members to contest the position of leader of the Alliance but that the Alliance can still elect an individual who does not belong to any particular member political party.

The Opposition Alliance coordinator notes that this individual will however have to be of standing and with the quality that will guarantee victory for the Alliance in the 2016 general elections.