Sun, 29 Oct 2017 11:57:50 +0000
By Oscar Malipenga
SPECUALATIONS are rife concerning the status of Forum for Democracy and Development (FDD) president, Edith Nawakwi’s third term bid following a deal to bury differences in the party.
The party revealed yesterday that the two factions had reconciled but could not give details of the main bone of contention, the third term bid by Ms Nawakwi.
Ms Nawakwi announced yesterday that after serious reflection through an open and honest process of dialogue, Forum for Democracy and Development (FDD) has rescinded its earlier decision to expel its vice president Chifumu Banda.
She told a media briefing that FDD has decided to offer general amnesty to all the party officials who were expelled.
“Together we are strong, divided we diminish. We trust that this gesture from FDD will provide an example to all those political parties that reconciliation is possible if we all choose to be truthful and open to each other,” Mrs Nawakwi said.
She said every member of FDD had a constitutional right to express themselves on issues that affected the smooth running of the party.
Ms Nawakwi however warned that members must observe discipline, procedure and order.
She said a party that lacked discipline could not form government.
Meanwhile, Mr Banda appealed to all members who were expelled with him to accept the reconciliation wholeheartedly.
He called all members including those who were expelled to work together and make a mark as a political party in Zambia.
“Let us mount a serious campaign so that we can change government,” Mr Banda said.
Later, both Mrs Nawakwi and Mr Banda hugged each other to seal their reconciliation.
Ms Nawakwi’s bid to contest the 2021 general elections has been contested by members who insisted that the party constitution did not allow for such.
