By Staff Reporter
Lupososhi member of parliament (PF) Emmanuel Mpankata says he has irrefutable information that some of those who once left the party and were now back with the same presidential ambitions, have vowed that they will form their own parties if not elected as PF president.
And Mpankata dismissed the calls for the PF to first repent to Zambians before rebranding, saying only those who were corrupt should repent and not the entire party.
Speaking with Daily Revelation, Mpankata castigated those who once left the party because their presidential ambitions could not be fulfilled to form or join other parties but were chased, have now come back with the sole purpose of being PF president.
He said some were even using money, now that they felt that PF was broke won win the votes.
“The people who went with their ambitions to other parties, they were chased and have come back with the same ambitions…these people left us because they had ambitions, they couldn’t hold their ambitions, they went, others formed parties, others joined other parties, others were chased from those parties that they formed,” Mpankata said. “Again they have come back with the same ambitions to lead the party. Their only ambition is to be leaders, to be on top because they are not ready to be led. All they want is to be on top of leadership. Yes they have come back, we are not against ambitions to come and lead the party but can they follow the right channels.”
Mpankata, without mentioning names, although it is very clear the people he is referring to, said the former ruling party was in the process of healing, rebranding and rebuilding in order to rebound in 2026, and that it was therefore depressing to see the conduct of some of his colleagues.
“They are trying now to sow seeds of confusion, meanwhile the party will be in tatters, the party will be divided. This one will have his own faction…if I equally say I want to stand I will have my own following from the party. Are we going to hold it together in such a manner?” Mpankata said. “We won’t, so let us just follow the laid down procedures, yes we are not against ambitions at the right time we will tell you yes gentlemen now we have opened up you can campaign. But not in the manner they are doing it now.”
Mpankata said he suspected the same people did not campaign wholeheartedly for the party in the 2021 election loss, so that they could ascend to the party presidency.
“We will definitely hold together till 2026 elections as long as we follow laid down party procedures to replace the party president. Not where people want to use shortcuts. Yes some may have money, some may have whatever. Now they think that PF is broke, now they want to take advantage, because the youths now they can use the money to sponsor them,” Mpankata said. “Well it’s unfortunate but for those that have those ambitions all the best my brothers but please let’s not destroy the party. Because I have for irrefutable information that if they will not be at the helm of this party they will go and form their own party. Why not just form your own party now?”
But during an appearance on Radio Phoenix yesterday, Democratic Party (DP) leader Harry Kalaba said the PF could not talk about rebranding before repenting to Zambians on the wrongs committed, Mpankata said Kalaba must be specific about which particular people were corrupt.
“If there was someone who is corrupt the law enforcement agencies are there, they will follow them. Those are the people who are supposed to repent. Is it everyone in the PF who is supposed to repent? If there are some who were corrupt and there is evidence that they are corrupt, yes let them come out and repent,” said Mpankata.
