Lusaka - Former Zambian president Frederick Chiluba is said to have kicked off the campaign for incumbent leader Rupiah Banda ahead of the 2011 poll and warned that electing the leadership of the Patriotic Front and United Party for National Development pact will be retrogressive to the development of the country.
Chiluba who was recently in Ndola, a copperbelt town about 400 kilometres from the capital, Lusaka, urged the people to support Banda and the ruling Movement for Multiparty Democracy in the 2011 general elections, according to media reports.
Speaking when he addressed tenants at Itawa council flats on January 24 and accompanied by his wife, Regina, former Copperbelt provincial chairman Terence Findlay and other officials from the district he urged the people to rally behind Banda and give him another chance because of his vision unlike his political opponents.
"Let's give President Banda a chance by voting for him. If we vote for Michael Sata and Hakainde Hichilema, they will destroy the nation because they don't have a heart for the country," Chiluba is reported to have said.
According to Chiluba, the Government had performed well under Banda, scoring many successes economically and deserved another chance.
The ruling MMD took over the country's reign in 1991 when it wrestled power from independence hero and the country's first president Kenneth Kaunda.
Chiluba assured the people that he will personally talk to President Banda on the pending sale of council flats to sitting tenants.
"I will talk to President Banda on the issue of selling these flats to you the sitting tenants."
And one of the tenants hoped that the sale of the council flats would be discussed soon so that tenants can purchase the quarters.
"The government promised to sell these flats in 1996. So, we are looking forward to the intervention of President Banda on the matter," the tenant said.
And ruling MMD Masaiti district chairman Michael Katambo said Dr Chiluba had every right to support a political party of his choice. Katambo said there was no need for political parties to be jittery about Dr Chiluba's visit to the Copperbelt because it was his right.
"Dr Chiluba as former head of state has a constitutional right to support any political party of his choice."
