A POLITICAL scientist has observed that mere rebranding and changing of a slogan by the former ruling MMD will not help regain people's confidence.

Dr Alex Ng'oma, a lecturer at the University of Zambia (UNZA) in Lusaka said in an interview yesterday that changing the slogan was nothing but what was important was addressing the expectations for the people of Zambia.

He advised the opposition party to consider reviewing its manifesto to address the needs of the people if it had to win back the support from the electorate.

Dr Ng'oma said a mere rebranding of the name and changing of the slogan without changing the character was like the leopard that wanted to change its colour.

He said the MMD was voted out of power because it was running a corrupt government and it did not pay much attention to the plight of the less privileged people.

He said that as much as the MMD was blaming the PF Government for not creating jobs in 12 months, unemployment was created during its era.

"Yes, MMD built schools, but it never employed teachers to provide services to these schools. It built hospitals but it never paid much attention to the welfare of the medical personnel and as a result Zambia experienced massive brain drain," he said.

He said the party should revisit its manifesto and see how best it could create employment and address the plight of the less privileged like the PF Government intended to achieve.

Dr Ng'oma however commended the MMD for reintroducing the position of party vice president.

He said the abolishing of the vice-president position worked to the disadvantage of the party, especially during the death of President Levy Mwanawasa which caused a leadership vacuum.

He wished the newly elected vice-presidents and others that were elected well as they executed their duties to strengthen the former ruling party as it tried to rediscover itself.

He said the MMD needed a strong team as it was now at its weakest considering the loss of elections, the resignation of party President Rupiah Banda and the coming in of Nevers Mumba who had to learn to lead a big party.

The party on Tuesday held elections to fill vacant positions in the National Executive Committee (NEC) members.

Mwandi Member of Parliament (MP) Michael Kaingu and Mumbwa MP Brian Chituwo were elected as vice -presidents respectively.

Kabinga Pande was appointed National Chairperson replacing Michael Mabenga who recently resigned.