Chipimo bows out of politics

NATIONAL Restoration Party leader Elias Chipimo has stepped down from his position as president.

Mr Chipimo said he would be moving on to develop major opportunities in the private sector.

He said he would create opportunities in the country’s agricultural diversification drive through promoting the growing of essential oil crops primarily for export.

Mr Chipimo also said he would focus on technology spread into rural communities for ease of inclusion of vulnerable groups using commercially viable solutions.

“I announce today that I am stepping down from my role as president of the National Restoration Party. I am guided in this decision by a scripture, John 12:24, that came to mind as I had the agonising discussion with my inner circle regarding the decision I was about to make,” he said.

Mr Chipimo said the scripture meant he had to die as a politician to give life to future politicians that could take the responsibility of addressing the issues he had grappled with in the past 10 years.

Mr Chipimo said everything NAREP stood for and believed in should now increase while his role as a politician decreased and faded into the memory of what could have been.

He said he had stepped down without any regret or bitterness, knowing that he could feel proud that he had never compromised his values although they were severely tested.

“In my years as a politician, I never cheated anyone, never had a sexual or financial scandal, and never bribed anyone. I cannot say this was my life before I found my Christian calling and none of this would have been possible without a firm faith and belief that I am on this earth to serve a mighty God,” Mr Chipimo said.

He said the sacrifice he had made towards building and developing a new culture of politics based on issues and ideas, and not insults, vision and values, and not vague and valueless promises, would not have been in vain if there were others to take on the mantle of moral leadership that he had worked so hard to foster.

Mr Chipimo said the opposition party’s vice president for administration Charles Maboshe would serve as acting president until a substantive office bearer was appointed.

He said the current leadership should take into account the reality of the politics today and high levels of sustained poverty with its attendant vulnerability.

Mr Maboshe said he believed NAREP would rise to the occasion.

He said the party would continue to be a member of the Opposition Alliance despite the departure of Mr Chipimo.

Mr Maboshe said he would also ensure the youth in the party were mentored to become better leaders.