‘Nawakwi can go for third term’
EDITH Nawakwi, one of the sternest critics of the President Frederick Chiluba’s third term, is set to go for a third term as FDD president if she emerges victorious at the national convention to be convened soon, says former save FDD spokesperson Yotam Mtayachalo.
And Mr Mtayachalo announced that the Save FDD Committee, which was formed to oppose Ms Nawakwi’s third term bid has been disbanded with immediate effect following the reconciliation between the two factions.
Mr Mtayachalo, who has since been retained as FDD Chama district chairperson said that the reconciliation between the save FDD and the Nawakwi camp had not produced a winner or a loser.
He explained that the only winner in the process was the FDD as a party because the party was bigger than anyone of them.
Mr Mtayachalo told the Daily Nation that Ms Nawakwi would be allowed to go for a third term if emerged victorious at the national convention.
He said that it was agreed that the next National Policy Committee (NPC) meeting which he said would be convened very soon would decide when the national convention would be held.
Mr Mtayachalo warned that FDD was likely to scoop the next general elections if it continued working as a united force.
“In fact we have responded positively to the cries of the general membership and the nation for the party to resolve the its internal wrangles amicably so that the party can provide effective checks and balances to the ruling party.
“It is a historic landmark achievement by leaders from both sides to put aside their personal interests in order to explore meaningful dialogue for the sake of the organisation,” he said.
Mr Mtayachalo assured that since the wrangles had been resolve, FDD would provide objective checks and balances to the Patriotic Front (PF) government.
He reiterated that the top leadership had responded positively to the cries of the general membership and the nation for the party to resolve internal wrangles amicably.
Mr Mtayachalo expressed happiness that the FDD had shown the nation that it was a mature and progressive party which was capable of resolving its differences amicably.
He said that the party now would concentrate on grassroot membership mobilisation in readiness for the 2021 general elections.
“This also means that following the reconciliation, the save FDD has been disbanded as we only have one FDD.
“We are going to support the party President Madam Edith Nawakwi as at the moment she is our leader until the party holds the national convention,” said Mr Mtayachalo.