THE FIGHT OF POWER CONTINUE IN ZAMBIA RULING PARTY

Patriotic Front Secretary General, Edgar Lungu has insisted that the scheduled Central Committee Meeting will proceed despite what he called the illegal instructions from the party Acting President, Guy Scott.In his letter dated 12th November 2014, Lungu has also advised Scott to operate within the party constitution as his recent actions and directives have been made outside the party statutes.He advised Scott’s to desist from making unilateral decisions and that his attempt to cancel a legally convened meeting was null and void.

”You should note that, your unilateral directives to cancel the legally constituted meeting are null and void as those directives are outside the Constitution. As a member of the Patriotic front, you are expected to operate within the provisions of the Constitution”. Lungu stated.Mr. Lungu also stated that the party constitution mandates him to convene the meetings and that he is the secretary to the Central Committee, the National Council and the General Conference as provided for under Article 56 of the Party Constitution.Mr. Lungu stated that the decision to call for a General Conference remains with the Central Committee and the body should be allowed to make those decisions.‘”Any decisions made ought to be subjected to the advise, counsel and ratification of the Central Committee. I therefore urge you to desist from operating outside the provisions of the Constitution, as the PF and Zambia have long established democratic credentials and practices”.

Below is the full letter by Mr. Lungu to Mr, Scott.

I refer to your internal Memorandum dated 12th November 2014.

I also refer to your purported notice of cancellation of the legally called meeting as issued by a Notice by the Secretary General dated 12th November 2014.I have also noted that you have purported to appoint a Committee and attempted to set a date for the General Conference.

It should be noted that, the Secretary General is the Chief Administrative Officer of the party and is the one mandated by the Constitution to convene meetings.The Secretary General is also the secretary to the Central Committee, National Council and General Conference as enshrined in Article 56 of the party constitution.It is imperative that the Central Committee is convened immediately to resolve all outstanding issues including;

1. The position of Acting President as the Constitution reposes powers, in the absence of the President, in the Vice-President, the Secretary General and also the National Chairperson
2. Matters relating to the selection or election of the party president and presidential candidate.

You should note that, your unilateral directives to cancel the legally constituted meeting are null and void as those directives are outside the Constitution. As a member of the Patriotic front, you are expected to operate within the provisions of the Constitution.Any decisions made ought to be subjected to advise, counsel and ratification of the Central Committee. I therefore urge you to desist from operating outside the provisions of the Constitution, as the PF and Zambia have long established democratic credentials and practices.

It should be noted under the current circumstances, the PF has neither the luxury of time nor the resources to engage in wasteful discourse, such as your letter demonstrates.

To this effect, the Central Committee Meeting shall proceed as scheduled and as announced. The venue and time will be communicated later.

Hon. Egar Lungu MP
SECRETARY GENERAL
PATRIOTIC FRONT