Nevers Mumba says the MMD has made tremendous progress in talks with UPND for a possible alliance ahead of the presidential by-election.
And Mumba has turned down Rupiah Banda’s proposal to appoint him vice-president and powers to nominate ministers and diplomatic postings if he can hand over the MMD presidential candidacy to him.
Sources had earlier disclosed that the majority of MMD members of parliament were in support of Banda’s return to active politics because Mumba was ready to give up the party presidency to become Hakainde Hichilema’s vice-president in two parties’ alliance.
“This is why the majority of MPs voted for Rupiah when we had our NEC meeting on Sunday. It is because he wants to work with UPND, and that is what we don’t want. Mumba is ready to become HH’s vice, and if that happens, that will be the end of MMD,” the sources said.
And during a media briefing in Lusaka yesterday, Mumba confirmed the planned alliance with the UPND, saying he the talks would be successful and in the interest of all.
“We remain committed as MMD to exploring all options that are meant to further strengthen us, including respectful alliances with other political parties and I am glad to report that we have made tremendous progress in this regard talking to other colleagues in other political parties in order to strengthen our resolve to win this coming election,” he said.
Mumba also called those saying he was a failure and that he was not saleable and could not win an election as prophets of doom, who were not God to frame an image for him.
“It’s not for them to brand you; I can do all things through Christ which strengthens me,” he said.
And sources said during their meeting at Lusaka lawyer Makebi Zulu’s law firm, Banda proposed that Mumba gives him chance to contest the January presidential election while he retains the position of party president.
The sources said Banda also offered to appoint Mumba as his vice-president and that he would give him powers to nominate five per cent ministerial appointments and 25 per cent diplomatic postings.
But Mumba told a media briefing, where he turned down the former president’s overtures to be the MMD candidate, that there was no deal that was brokered on Monday.
“And there is no deal today,” he said.
Asked to confirm the proposals by Banda, Mumba confirmed but said he had rejected the “tempting” offers.
He also said he had communicated to Banda telling him that they could not continue with the talks and that the former head of state responded that he understood.
Banda could not immediately comment on the turn of events.
Meanwhile, Mumba has declared that he would not surrender the party to anyone.
“…While I was meeting with president Banda, some operatives had started collecting signatures from unsuspecting NEC members with the view of expelling myself, the president of the party. This petition is an illegality, founded on greed and a lack of understanding of our party constitution. These brown envelopes being used to extract these signatures will not work this time around,” he said.
Mumba also suspended operations of the MMD secretariat to allow for reorganisation.
Mumba was flanked by MMD NEC members Frank Bowa from Muchinga, Stephen Mukuka from Northern, Elizabeth Chitika-Molobeka, Professor Geoffrey Lungwangwa, Suresh Desai, Denson Chisunka from the Copperbelt, Mwansa Mbulakulima, Howard Kunda and two other members from Luapula Province, among others.
Meanwhile, the pro-Banda NEC members were by press time yesterday held in a meeting to find a way foward for the former president.
Some MPs spoken to said they feared that Mumba would hand over the party to UPND.