Former first lady Christine Kaseba has filed in her nomination papers to contest the PF Presidency, becoming the only female applicant, in a race that has drawn the interest of eight male contenders.
Dr Kaseba says she has been compelled to join the race to save the PF from destruction or abandonment of the vision and ideals of the late President Michael Sata.
she is saddened and pained that the PF has been characterised by violence, divisions and acrimony in its efforts to find a new leader.
Dr Kaseba says the divisions pose a serious threat to the party and the realisation of the dreams of the late president Sata as contained in the party manifesto.
She is calling for unity of purpose to consolidate the gains the PF made under the leadership of her late husband.
Dr Kaseba says her grief of mourning the loss of her husband cannot be compared to the pain that would result if the party is allowed to die because of divisions.
For her, she says the true mourning of the late president would be to complete the work that he began.
She is also encouraged by the so many people within and outside the PF who have encouraged her to take the leadership of the party.
Dr Kaseba says she has consulted with her family and has listened to the calls urging her to contest the Presidency of the PF.
Read part of the application below: