Staff Reporter
MDC has gained some prominence through the UPND alliance, says the party’s vice-president Leonard Hikaumba.
However, this is at variance with what party secretary general Lucky Mulusa said that their working relationship with the UPND is not smooth as MDC members feel rejected, the view shared by other officials who have spoken with Daily Revelation, including revelations that some are facing disciplinary action for supporting calls for party leader and Science and Technology minister Felix Mutati to step down as minister.
Speaking with Daily Revelation, Hikaumba, former president of the once vibrant Zambia Congress of Trade Unions (ZCTU), said the name recognition they have gained is largely due to their participation in the UPND alliance.
“But for me MDC has gained some prominence through the participation in the alliance. Yah! And I think MDC would not have been as prominent as it is had we not participated in the alliance, because our launch was just about a year or so before the elections which was not adequate time for us to really go into those elections fully prepared,” Hikaumba said. “We didn’t have adequate time and it wasn’t our fault as a party because the application was lodged in good time but there were challenges for us to get the approval from the registrar of societies.”
He continued.
“And the fame that we have right now as a party is attributed to the fact that we did participate in the alliance. So I think for me I think it was a right decision because if we had not done that I don’t think we would have been as known as we are now,” Hikaumba said. “So in terms or mobilisation I think right from start even through the alliance there was a resolution that the parties remain independent, they will continue organizing themselves in the manner they have been doing. So there is nothing that stops us from mobilising the party.”
But asked if they would remain in the alliance to support the UPND for the 2026 elections, Hikaumba said the questions of what should happen in the future is not a question that can be answered by one person, but the party membership.
“I think we have relevant organs of the party and a decision will be made on the way forward whether we have to continue or whether we have to go it alone, those are decisions to be made later through a consultative process,” said Hikaumba.
