By Isaac Zulu
Kantanshi member of parliament (PF) Anthony Mumba says there is a lot of frustration among PF members of parliament, such that many would haved crossed the floor had it not been for Constitutional impediments.
And Mumba said he hopes former president Edgar Lungu will be firm over his decision that he will not run for presidency again but instead supporter a younger person to lead the PF.
Speaking with Daily Revelation, Mumba said that the “seemingly popularity and stability of the PF depends on the Patriotic Front members of parliament,” who have providing checks and balances to the ruling party.
“There are a lot of frustrations among PF members of parliament. It is only that the Constitution states that if an MP who causes a by-election cannot participate in that particular by-election. Otherwise most of them would have crossed the floor. They should even be proud that we are providing effective checks and balances on the floor of the House,” said Mumba.
And Mumba said the Patriotic Front needs a leader who is a vision carrier and not carriers of a failed project, like party vice-president Given Lubinda, former secretary general Davies Mwila, chairperson Davies Chama and head of media in the central committee Raphael Nakachinda.
He charged that the current Patriotic Front leadership is made of individuals who are selfish and were part of the PF failed project during the 2021 general elections.
He said that it will be difficult for the Patriotic Front to bounce back to power with the current leadership.
“It is becoming boring to talk about the leadership in the PF. These are people who were part of the 2021 failed project. Davis Mwila, Davies Chama, Given Lubinda and Raphael Nakachinda; among others, were part of the PF failed project,” Mumba said. “And I can tell you that it will be extremely difficult for the Patriotic Front to bounce back to power in 2026 with quality of leaders that we have in the PF. The PF needs a leader who is a vision carrier and not carriers of a failed project.”
The Kantanshi lawmaker said former president Edgar Lungu is an honourable and principled man, but he is being misled by selfish individuals who he said are egocentric.
“I know Edgar Lungu. He is an honourable and principled man. But the man is being misled by selfish individuals who are self centered. Balikwata bukaitemwe. Nabalelisha iminsonsoli nga bafula nembmwa ilafulungana. Kwaliba na abafipanga ati ebene ba (But some times even dogs get confused if there are many doing dog whistles. There are those who think they are the owners of PF yet the owner of PF died and original members like Guy Scott have since left). Guy Scott decided to go and support UPND because he realised that they don’t heed to advice. Baba kwati balikwata ubutonge mumatwi (The behave as if their ears are sealed with cotton wool). They just want to continue confusing Edgar Lungu for their own political survival,” Mumba said. “But I am glad that ECL is talking about the need for young people to take up the leadership mantle in the Patriotic Front. And I hope he will be firm.”
He also urged Edgar Lungu to ensure that discipline prevails in the Patriot Front.
“Not filya ifyalecitika pa ng’anda pali ba (Not what happened at the house of) Edgar Lungu where ba Given Lubinda and Raphael Nakachinda were engaging in altercations in the presence of the former Head of State. If I were party president, I would take disciplinary action,” said Mumba.
