Dr John Phiri bites the dust

Education Minister John Phiri

Patriotic Front (PF) Lundazi Central Central aspiring candidate and Minister of General Education, John Phiri has failed to file in his nomination papers after arriving at the nomination center one hour late.

Dr. Phiri was turned away by Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ) officials for arriving after 16:00 hours when his nomination was supposed to be at 15:00 hours. This means that the ruling party has lost one seat before a single vote has been cast.

There was confusion at the Lundazi council chambers as PF officials desperately tried to force the retaining officer to allow Dr. Phiri to file in his nominations but the Council Secretary stood his ground.

Sources say when he was asked why he was late, Dr Phiri said he had “overslept” after taking an afternoon nap.

And there was jubilation in the town center of Lundazi after word went round that the Minister has been disqualified from the race. Dr. Phiri was reportedly not the popular choice for the seat but was imposed on the people by the leadership of the ruling party.