MASEBO AND OTHERS FORMING PARTY By Emmanuel Mwamba Suspended PF Chairperson for Elections Sylvia Masebo is being linked to a party formed. Sources close to the group revealed that plans are afoot to expedite the process. The group is also intending to defect from the Patriotic Front and are expected to form a party that will go in an alliance with the United Party for National Development (UPND). Many electoral experts, pollstars and elections pundits have predicted that PF candidate is likely going to scoop the by-elections. But there is an effort to consolidate funds from mine houses and groups from UK and South Africa to financially prop up the UPND. The group is also circulating a fake Intelligence Report that claims that Hakainde Hichilema is leading in seven provinces. There is a fierce fight against Edgar Lungu who they claim is a socialist candidate linked to chinese sympathisers. Masebo is attempting to persuade lower party structures especially from Bantu-Botatwe areas to leave the PF but is receiving strong resistance by supporters that believe that Edgar Lungu will likely win. She told us Miles or Kaseba would win. We were beaten. If her career has failed in PF she should not endanger our, a senior party official from Chongwe revealed. There is a desperate push to support UPND leader Hakainde Hichilema who however has failed to garner adequate national support despite receiving huge financial support. After a protracted adoption process, Lungu finally launched his national campaign in Kitwe and Mansa, rallies that attracted huge crowds. Lungu is enjoying strong national appeal despite regular attacks from The Post which fought his adoption by supporting Deputy Minister Miles Sampa and former First Lady, Christine Kaseba. Hichilema has attempted to give the UPND a national character by including a few people from the North such as Felix Mutati, and Mutale Nalumango. the problem with HH is that he has failed to take advantage of the wrangles in PF. He has failed to capitalise of some failed policies of the PF. a civil society leader said. He has no fresh message. He is saying the same things he said in 2006, 2008 and 2011. But his fresh message about street vendors, free education, lower taxes is just not believable and sounds ridiculous. Zambians can see through a populist approach and a realistic message. He said. Hichilemas public rallies in Isoka, Nakonde, and Chama were poorly attended. UPNDs votes and seats have declined since 2006 from 49 seats to 27 seats to date. MMD had 53 seats but have lost over 15 seats to the PF and the UPND. PF has 83 Members of Parliament while UPND has 27. PF is ridding on an a wide infrastructure development that has earned the party goodwill in the rural areas. Since 2011 out of 31 by elections, PF has won over 20 seats and the rest have been shared by UPND and MMD. (Although Petauke, Mulobezi have not been contested)
Posted on: Thu, 11 Dec 2014 14:07:53 +0000