{After being tossed out of the presidential race in a court order, former Zambia President Rupiah Banda is now backing the governing party Patriotic Front candidate Edgar Lungu for the January 20,2015 presidential election.}
Mr Banda, who was defeated by the PF in a 2011 election, had a court ruling go against him after he ousted Nevers Mumba, the current leader of his former party, the Movement for Multi-Party Democracy (MMD), to create way to contest the election himself.
Mr Banda’s move to support the governing party’s flagbearer is controversial, given he was facing graft charges and had his retirement benefits withdrawn by government due to his return to active politics.
“I’m appearing before you today to announce the endorsement of the honourable Edgar Lungu of the Patriotic Front for president of the January 20,2015,”Mr Banda was quoted as saying by Zambia’s private daily, The Post.
“Having had the opportunity to meet with Mr Lungu and understood his recognition of Zambia’s problems, I’m convinced that he possesses the quality of a leader.”
Mr Banda’s backing of Mr Lungu, who doubles as Justice and Defence Minister, is a huge boost to the governing party’s campaign to field the late president Michael Sata’s replacement.
The 77-year-old Sata died in a London hospital on October 28,2014, shortly after his country celebrated 50 years of Independence.
Africa Review
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