PF central committee settles for Edgar Lungu as Party President and Presidential Candidate

The Central Committee, which sat today at Government Complex, has adopted PF Secretary General, Edgar Lungu as Party President and Presidential Candidate according to a statement issued by Patriotic Front Media and publicity Brian Hapunda. 

Hapunda said "the meeting also received a petition of support from 63 PF Members of Parliament that demanded that the Central Committee adopts Mr. Lungu as Presidential Candidate". 

Kafue Member of Parliament, Hon. Obvious Mwaliteta who was accompanied by other Members of Parliament, presented the meeting. 

In the petition Mr. Mwaliteta stated that: “Members of Parliament representing their constituencies from all the ten provinces have recognized that Hon. Edgar Lungu will win the presidential seat with fewer difficulties”. 

The Central Committee formed a quorum as provided for Article 51 (2), which states that the quorum is constituted by half of its membership. 

The Central Committee considered the petition of support from the 63 Members of Parliament and resolved that it was in the best interest that both the position of President of the Party and Presidential Candidate were harmonized. 

The Central Committee which was chaired by PF National Chairperson Hon. Inonge Wina MP and was attended by Dorothy Kazunga MP, Hon. Esther M. Banda (Chairperson of Women’s League), Hon. Alfredah Kansembe, Hon Garry Chanda, Hon Yamfwa Mukanga, Dr. J. T. Ngwasa Phiri, Dr. Joseph Katema, Hon. Given Lubinda, Mr. Willie Nsanda, Hon Jean Kapata, and Mr. Samuel Mukupa. Others are Mr. Emmanuel Mpakanta, Mr. Sylvester Mtonga, Mr. John Chisanga, Mr. Peter Kajimanga, Mr. Robert Mwale, Mr. Mwenye Musenge, Hon Freedom Sikazwe and Elizabeth Phiri. 

Others are Mr. Benson Chali, Mr. Steady Mwale, Hon. Susan Kawandami, Attan Mwamba, Hon. Mwanasa Kapeya and Fabian Chiposo. 

The Meeting also resolved that a committee amongst themselves should approach Acting President, Dr. Guy Scott to inform him of the decisions and resolutions of Central Committee and the decision of the Members of the Parliament. 

The motion to adopt Hon Lungu as Presidential candidate and Party President was raised Esther Banda and seconded by Hon. Jean Kapata and Mr Davis Chama. 

The Central Committee adopted the decision. In a vote of thanks Hon. Daniel Munkombwe urged the members to unite around the party candidate. “We have decided and take this message to Dr Guy Scott that this (Hon. Edgar Lungu) is our candidate. President Sata loved me but he did not love me deep enough to leave me with the instruments of power,” Mr Munkombwe said. 

An earlier request that a meeting be a consultative was rejected and the meeting resolved and voted that it be a convened as a Central Committee Meeting as formal Notices were properly issued. Following the concerns raised by Hon. Chishimba Kambwili, the meeting expressed concern that Dr. Guy Scott was ruling by decree and with regard to the party constitution. 

The Central Committee resolved that Hon. Edgar Lungu be elected as Party President and Presidential Candidate. And concerns that were raised that the Secretary General, Edgar Lungu and Dr. Guy Scott ought to work together was welcomed on the understanding that the interest of the PF party were important and it was the duty of all members to honour the memories of founder and late President Mr. Michael Sata by working together to ensure that the party won and retained power in the forthcoming by-election. 

The Central Committee also stated that Dr. Scott should revert and remain in his substantive position as Vice President of the Party.

Dr Scott says the actions by the central committee members goes against the PF constitution.