Lubinda’s appointment questioned

GEARS Initiative Zambia has noted the need to interrogate the appointment of Patriotic Front Vice president, Given Lubinda, to act as party president following the stepping down of Former President Edgar Lungu as Party president.

GEARS Executive Director Mcdonald Chipenzi says the appointment of Mr. Lubinda is wrong and goes against the PF constitution which states in Article 53 sub article 1 that when the president of the party resigns or is removed from the position, he or she immediately ceases to be president and the secretary general of the party takes over until a new president is elected.

Mr. Chipenzi says the appointment of Mr. Lubinda is wrong and questionable as Mr. Nickson Chilangwa who is the secretary general of the party has not been given the opportunity to act as PF president pending the holding of the convention which has been slated for June next year.

He adds that it is wrong for someone to impose a contestant in an election to act as president because in this Case, Mr. Lubinda is a contestant, further stating that the action that has been taken simply means that those who have imposed Mr. Lubinda have plans to predetermine the outcome of the convention.

Mr Chipenzi says it is unsettling that the laws of the Patriotic Front can be breached in the manner they have been breached in the name of trying to hold the party together.

Meanwhile the Foundation for Democratic Process (FODEP) has commended former President Edgar Lungu for finally stepping down as Patriotic Front President.

FODEP Executive Director George Chimembe states that it is only morally right that Mr. Lungu steps down especially after the August 12 election defeat.

Mr Chimembe adds that Mr. Lungu’s stepping down also clears him to access his pension package.