RB calls for MMD unity

MMD presidential candidate Rupiah Banda has called for unity in the former ruling party following the decision of the Lusaka High Court to dismiss an injunction by MMD president Nevers Mumba seeking to restrain the party from suspending.

Mr Banda has called on all members of the MMD as well as Zambians who believe a better future is possible to unite together.

He says there should not be bitterness or hostility, stating the need to overcome the things that separate Zambians and embrace everything that unites the people in purpose and national solidarity.

The Former President states that this is no time for experiments but time for peace, unity, and determination to change Zambia for the better.

And MMD National Secretary Muhabi Lungu says the MMD will not be deterred by false attempts to create confusion regarding the candidacy by some suspended members.

Mr Lungu says the Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ) has already recognised Mr Banda as the candidate on the MMD ticket and as such acknowledged the official letter received from the party secretariat, putting an end to the matter.

But MMD president Nevers Mumba’s Director for Communication Raphael Nakachinda says the euphoria exhibited by Mr Banda and his team confirms that they have deliberately chosen to misunderstand the ruling and are therefore creating an impression that the former President is now the adopted presidential candidate for the MMD.

Mr Nakachinda says court did not whatsoever rule on the adoption process for the presidential candidate of the MMD but rather on the injunction.

He states that Judge Chalwe Mchenga was categorical in his ruling when he stated that the injunction was discharged because there were no definite parameters provided by the Dr Mumba’s legal team on which the injunction should be sustained.

He says the ruling therefore does not suggest that the suspension of Dr Mumba as party president was done legally.

Mr Nakachinda adds that the ruling does not also suggest that Mr Banda is the MMD candidate.

He says to begin to assume victory now by dancing and laughing too early is like dancing to a song before it is played, stating that this matter will ultimately be resolved when the main matter and other matters come before the court.

Mr Nakachinda has since appealed to MMD members across the country to remain calm and resolute as they party goes through this legal process.