Lusaka, Zambia (PANA) – Zambia’s late President Michael Sata’s widow Dr. Christine Kaseba Sata has filed her nomination papers to contest for the ruling Patriotic Front (PF) presidency to stand in the January 20 presidential elections being held following the death of her husband.
The former First Lady filed her papers on Wednesday to acting President Guy Scott at Government House in Lusaka to contest the party’s candidacy.
Dr Sata, in her letter to Scott, said that she was “the best person” to carry the vision of late President Sata.
“I am writing to offer myself for the candidature of the PF Presidency. Since the death of my husband, His Excellency Michael Chilufya Sata, I have watched with pain the unfolding events and divisions in the party.”
“People are concerned with acrimony and at times shameful violence that has characterized our party’s attempt to find a successor to our late President. The divisions if not contained pose a real threat not only to the future of the party but to our achievements and realizations of President Sata’s dreams, as laid out in the party manifesto,” the former first lady stated.
Dr. Sata said she has had been approached by women and men from all walks of life from the Patriotic Front as well as citizens concerned for peace and development to offer herself to the PF party as President for the rest of the presidential five-year term of office.
“After deep introspection and consultation with my family, I have decided to heed the calls to offer myself as a neutral candidate who will be able to embrace all and attain the vision of my late husband. I worked closely with my late husband from inception of PF until his death, and there is no one who knows better than me the sacrifices and struggles he made to build his party and serve this country,” she wrote.
“I feel, as much as am mourning my husband, I feel true mourning will be in the completion of the works he began. I have therefore accepted to offer myself as a neutral candidate for our party at this critical time in the life of our beloved nation. I believe that in the short time available, the PF and the nation at large, under my leadership will have continuity, professionalism and integrity to complete our five-year programme for the benefit of our citizens especially the poor and vulnerable,” she added.
The former first lady brings the total number of presidential candidates that have filed in their nomination papers for the PF presidency to 10.
They include President Sata’s son, Mulenga (step son to Dr. Sata), who is also the Lusaka Mayor, and Sata’s nephew, Miles Sampa, who is Commerce and Trade Deputy Minister.
Others are Defence Minister Edgar Lungu, who is also Justice Minister, former Defence Minister, Geoffrey Mwamba, Captain Seleman Phangula Banda, Commerce Trade Minister Bob Sichinga, former Foreign Affairs Minister Given Lubinda and Sports Minister Chishimba Kambwili.
Photo: UK Zambians
