UPND East Members Rebel against Provincial Chair
CONFUSION has erupted in the UPND in Eastern Province with party members calling for the immediate removal of its provincial chairperson Paul Thole for failing to organize the party among other reasons.
This came to light during a press briefing at Kum’mawa lodge on Monday which attracted some UPND members from all parts of the province.
Provincial trustee Moses Daniel Chimkule Nyirenda said the party was not performing well during elections in the province due to poor party mobilization and inept provincial executive which only becomes active when national leaders especially the president and his vice visit the province.
Nyirenda said the provincial leadership uses divide and rule kind of leadership where only a few party members who toll their line are preferred over others.
“The provincial leadership does not accommodate divergent and progressive ideas like the think tank for the province came up with a strategic plan that would help make major in-roads in the province;
unfortunately this progressive document which even the other senior members of the National Executive Committee such as the national mobilization chairperson and the deputy secretary general were privy to and highly recommended it, surprisingly, here in the province it was rejected with impunity by the provincial committee,” he said.
Nyirenda accused the provincial committee of frustrating some prominent members who have been supporting it over the years such as former vice provincial chairperson Alexander Miti who defected to PF last month.
He said Thole’s leadership had failed to take advantage of the PF’s failures in the province to strengthen the party.
Nyirenda said the party had remained stagnant despite having a vehicle which could help in networking and mobilization.
He refuted claims that they were rebels and that they had no any plans of joining the PF.
Former Ngozi ward councilor in Nyimba district Paul Daka said Thole was a stumbling block to the growth of the party.
Daka accused Thole of being intolerant to divergent views.
He urged part members not to be intimidated by should not rest until Thole is removed.
Chipata district deputy youth chairperson Cephas Mandauka appealed to HH to hear their cry.
Mandauka said the UPND will not go anywhere with Thole at the helm of the party in the province.
Another youth Saviour Lungu said Thole should be replaced by Monday next week.
Several youths displayed placards denouncing Thole.
But Thole said the meeting was illegal adding that the people who were speaking were just being used.
He said he was elected by the electoral college adding that those who were responsible for evaluating him should evaluate him and take appropriate action.