Choma PF district secretary Peter Kampamba says the endorsement of President Edgar Lungu as Patriotic Front candidate in next year’s elections has enhanced the ruling party’s chances to remain in power beyond 2016.
Kampamba says the decision would also unite the ruling party after a turbulent period during the election and adoption of Mr Lungu to contest the 2015 presidential elections.
PF general secretary Davies Chama announced that the ruling party has settled for Mr Lungu to contest the 2016 tripartite elections.
The announcement comes as President Lungu appoints chairpersons for committees and new members of the PF Central Committee as part of the ongoing reorganisation of the party in readiness for the general elections next year.
Among the new key appointees include Alexander Chikwanda as chairperson for finance/national treasurer, Frank Bwalya as chairperson for information, Jean Kapata as chairperson for elections and Stephen Kapyongo as chairperson for youth development and national security.
Others are: Prof. Nkandu Luo as chairperson for local government and housing, Given Lubinda as chairperson for agriculture, Margaret Mwanakatwe as chairperson for commerce, Emerine Kabanshi as chairperson for community development and social welfare, Charles Banda as chairperson for mobilisation and Richard Kapita as chairperson for Tourism, Arts and Culture.
Inonge Wina continues as party vice-president and Davies Chama retains his position as secretary general and party spokesperson.
The President expects that the new appointees and old members of the Central Committee will rise to the challenge, articulate the party manifesto and prepare the PF for the General elections next year.
The President takes this opportunity to direct all Members of Parliament to get back to their respective Constituencies as often as possible and to all party grassroots to mobilise people to register as voters, articulate the PF manifesto and explain the ongoing developmental programmes to the nation at large.
This announcement follows the PF Central Committee meeting held on 28th November, 2015 and issued by Amos Chanda – Special Assistant to the President (Press And Public Relations)
Kampamba disclosed that the endorsement of President Lungu as party presidential candidate is a welcome decision which has been made by the Party.
He added that the central committee decision is in line with the PF constitution which says that a person elected as president at a convention, should serve five years, and automatically becomes a candidate for presidential elections.
Kampamba adds that the PF is excited with the development because they wanted to have a candidate who is already formidable like Party and Republican President Lungu