Three drop out of PF presidential race

Three Patriotic Front aspiring presidential candidates at the ongoing General Conference in Kabwe have withdrawn from the race.

The three Given Lubinda, Wilbur Simuusa and Chishimba Kambwili had earlier presented their manifestos after acting President Guy Scott opened the conference.

In his letter of withdrawal to the acting President,Mr Kambwili says both elections held on 30th November 2015, and today’s the 1st of December do not meet the requirement as per PF constitution.

He says he has noted with concern that the delegates for both elections are not as per PF constitution.

Mr Kambwili says it is against this background that he disassociates himself with both elections in the interest of upholding the PF constitution and the unity in the party.

He states that he does not want to be part of any illegality in coming up with the party president, and warns that if not careful, this might destroy the ruling party.

The Roan Member of Parliament has since suggested that Dr Scott quickly convenes a Central Committee meeting to discuss the way forward for the party’s participation in the presidential election.

He says he believes Dr Scott has capacity to provide leadership to avoid a major split in the Patriotic Front.

And Kabwata Member of Parliament Given Lubinda says he withdrew from the race because he cannot support a process that is splitting the party.

Mr Lubinda says from the beginning he has always supported party unity, and that with his withdrawal he does not support any candidate actively splitting the party.

He adds that if the weekend process was considered fraudulent based on irregular delegate accreditation, then there is nothing that makes today’s conference fair using these same accreditation practices and standards.