Zambia’s former vice-president Nevers Mumba has formed a political party as part of his bid to challenge President Levy Mwanawasa in next year’s elections, an aide said on Monday.
”He will be a national coordinator of the newly formed Reformed Party,” said John Ziba, Mumba’s spokesperson, who is also interim chairperson of the new party.
Mumba was sacked from the ruling party after he announced his intention to challenge Mwanawasa at a party national convention in July this year.
”Mumba will be our presidential candidate in next year’s elections,” Ziba said.
Mumba, a charismatic televangelist, served as Mwanawasa’s vice-president for only 14 months before he was sacked for causing a diplomatic row with the Democratic Republic of Congo.
He also contested the 2001 presidential elections under the ticket of the defunct National Citizens Coalition, but lost to Mwanawasa. He then quit his opposition party and joined the ruling Movement for Multiparty Democracy. — Sapa-AFP