Sata’s widow wants to succeed him, files in her nomination papers

Scott acting President of Zambia greets first lady Dr Christine Kaseba Sata at Cheston Catholic Nun during the Reqiuem Mass for the Late President Michael Sata on Saturday 08-11-2014- Picture by Eddie Mwanaleza /Statehouse.
Late President Michael Sata’s widow Christine Kaseba has filed in her nomination to contest the PF presidency
The Former First Lady filed in her papers to Acting President Guy Scott at Government House in Lusaka to contest the party Presidency Wednesdayafternoon.

She becomes the ninth candidate to officially file in their nomination papers for the PF presidency joining the like of Edgar Lungu, Miles Sampa, Mulenga Sata, Geoffrey Bwalya Mwamba, Captain Seleman Phangula Banda, Bob Sichinga and Given Lubinda including Chishimba Kambwili. In her letter to Dr Scott, Dr Kaseba said she is the best person to carry the vision of late President Michael Sata.She wrote, “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 realisations of President Sata’s dreams, as laid out in the partymanifesto.” Dr Kaseba added, “I have 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 myself to our 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.”