Zambia’s opposition National Citizens Coalition (NCC) and its charismatic leader Nevers Mumba have joined the ruling party saying they want to help President Levy Mwanawasa fight graft, an official said on Wednesday.
Mumba, a well-known televangelist, stood against Mwanawasa in the 2001 presidential elections but performed poorly at the ballot.
”We have decided to dissolve the party and join the MMD [Movement for Multiparty Democracy],” said Eva Sanderson, vice president of NCC.
Mumba becomes the second losing presidential candidate to dissolve his party and join the ruling MMD.
Last year, another opposition leader, Inonge Mbikusita-Lewanika, who lost to Mwanawasa, joined the MMD and was immediately appointed ambassador to the US.
NCC was formed by Mumba and several Pentecostal Christians. Its platform pledged to fight corruption and bring morality to politics, and enjoys a considerable following among Zambia’s Christians. – Sapa-AFP