DICKSON JERE, Lusaka | Thursday
FORMER Zambian labour minister Edith Nawakwi, leading moves to impeach President Frederick Chiluba, says she will consider contesting the country’s presidency if the opportunity arises.
But Nawakwi, 41, sacked from Chiluba’s cabinet for thwarting his bid to stand for an unconstitutional third term when elections are held later this year, says the presidency is not a priority.
”I am spearheading the restoration of democracy in Zambia,” Nawakwi told AFP.
Dubbed Zambia’s ”Iron Lady”, the forthright Nawakwi was among eight cabinet members, along with former Vice-President Christon Tembo Chiluba expelled by Chiluba for opposing him last month.
But Nawakwi won’t shy away from the highest office in the land.
”It would be foolish for me not to aspire to higher office,” she said. ”If an opportunity arises, I shall take it up”.
Nawakwi shot to prominence last month when she spearheaded the campaign against a third term for Chiluba. She was arrested and interrogated for several hours on the grounds that she had defamed the president after she accused Chiluba of organising thugs to rape her.
Nawakwi says Chiluba’s efforts to cling to power have thrown the country into political crisis, and damaged the reputation of the ruling Movement for Multiparty Democracy (MMD).
Fiercely loyal to the MMD since its inception, Nawakwi is no stranger to the politics of wresting control from leaders who overstay their welcome. She helped the MMD take the reins of power away from Kenneth Kaunda – the country’s first post-colonial leader – in landmark multi-party elections in 1991.
Now Nawakwi is angry.
”Chiluba has spoiled my party. I will not forgive him for that,” she said.
Since being expelled from the MMD, she has helped to organise the new opposition Forum for Democracy and Development, which is set to challenge the MMD in presidential elections set for October.
She is just one of 80 parliamentarians currently seeking to impeach Chiluba. – AFP
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