FDD in ‘ICU’
...Needs urgent party convention
The Opposition Forum for Democracy and Development (FDD) in its current form, is in intensive care unit (ICU) chracterised by indecision evidenced by its unmistakable failure to hold a convention, FDD Chama District Chairman, Yotam Mtayachalo has charged.
And Mr Mtayachalo has accused former Deputy Secretary General, Antonio Mwanza who recently defected to the ruling PF, of allegedly being part of the delay of the FDD convention.
“It is unfortunate that Antonio could not read the situation on the ground when we were calling for a national convention to overhaul the party leadership. He fought very hard against those progressive minds who were exercising their constitutional rights.
“He scandalised our names in the media in order to please his masters for obvious reasons. If Antonio shared a similar vision with us, FDD was not going to be what it is today, it could have progressed to a higher level,” he charged.
Mr Mtayachalo implored genuine FDD members to stand up and fight for the party by ensuring that a national convention was called to elect new leaders.
Meanwhile, Mr Mtayachalo contended that the resignation of Mr Mwanza from the FDD should serve as a wake up call to the top leadership, saying one did not need to be a scientist or a magician to tell that FDD was in a mess. He charged that the party was completely lost in the wilderness with no sign of redemp- tion in sight. Mr Mtayachalo said that FDD had failed to offer checks and balances to the ruling party and wondered why people should hold on to positions when they have failed to deliver.
And FDD Lusaka Province chairman James Musemuna, claimed that, Mr Mwanza joined the Patriotic Front because he failed to reach an agreement with United Party for National Development president Hakainde Hichilema on his role in the UPND once he joined the party. Mr Musemuna charged that the party was aware that Mr Mwanza had several secret meetings with UPND President, Hakainde Hichilema and plans to summon him to appear before a disciplinary committee were underway but were only delayed by the outbreak of cholera in the province. He told the Daily Nation that Mr Mwanza was not a factor in the FDD and his resignation was long overdue.