27 August 2008
MMD spokesperson Bennie Tetamashimba has advised party members to leave First Lady, Maureen Mwanawasa, out of the presidential succession talk saying she is a person of high calibre who cannot go back on her word.
Mr Tetamashimba said in a statement in Lusaka yesterday that Mrs Mwanawasa had earlier given her position to the nation that she was not available and she could not just turn around and aspire for presidency because her husband has died.
"When Zambians wanted the first lady to replace the husband as president, I stated that the issue of the first lady was for the first family to inform the nation, and I also clearly stated that women aspiring for leadership should be of the calibre of the first lady," he said.
Mr Tetamashimba said President Mwanawasa obviously discussed with the first lady on the people's wish that she takes over from him and the answer he gave the nation was that she was going to give her position as he was not her spokesperson.
Mr Tetamashimba said what the first lady deserved was what Patriotic Front (PF) leader, Michael Sata had said of provision of support by the Government to look after the family.
Mr Tetamashimba said the family of the late president deserved help from the Government because the Constitution did not provide for taking care of the family after the president died in office.
Mr Tetamashimba said the Government should commend Mr Sata for bringing up the idea of looking after President Mwanawasa's family.
He said the idea of looking after the president's family was progressive, unlike what Northern Province minister, Lameck Chibombamilimo wanted to bring up, by suggesting that Mrs Mwanawasa should be floated as MMD presidential candidate.
On what happened in Chipata between Mrs Mwanawasa and the PF leader, Mr Tetamashimba said he would have to consult with the secretariat before he could issue a statement.
The Committee of Citizens also said the that MMD should leave out the first lady from the succession disputes because she had already stated that she was not running for the national presidency and that she was still mourning her husband.
Committee executive director, Gregory Chifire said in a statement that MMD members should not use Mrs Mwanawasa for their selfish political gain but instead leave her mourn in peace and harmony.
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