Former President Banda bids farewell to Zambians

On 23rd September mid-day Zambians Former President President Rupiah Banda says he has no ill feelings nor malice to newly and fifth republican President Michael Sata. And president Banda says he and the MMD Government never rigged and abused state resources but strived to serve the Zambian people in accordance with the mandate to rule and govern the people. Mr. Banda accepted the polls results and conceded defeat and said it was his time to step aside. He has congratulated Patriotic Front (PF) leader Mr. Sata on his election as Head of State.
Mr. Banda said this at a press conference held at State House today during his farewell speech.
“I have no ill feeling in my heart, there is no malice in my words. Now is my time for me to step aside for a new leader and it is time for me to say goodbye.
“ I wish Mr. Sata well in his years as President and I pray his policies will bear fruit,” Mr. Banda said.
Mr. Banda was flanked by his wife handiwe, State House staff and MMD National Secretary Richard Kachingwe, among others.
Mr. Banda urged the Zambian people to rally behind President Sata and build Zambia by working together.
He implored the people against engaging themselves in violence and retribution. He urged the Patriotic Front (PF) Government that the next election would judge the PF in its governance of national affairs and performance.
“Now is not the time for violence and retribution but to unite and build tommorow’s Zambia only by working together can we achieve a more prosperous nation. In my years of retirement, I hope to watch Zambia grow and I genuinely want Zambia to flourish,” he said.
He advised that Zambia must not go backwards but face the future as a country as doing that would entail dishonor to the country’s history.
Mr. Banda advised the MMD party members that the party could bounce back to power in the near future warning that if that chance came new young leaders would be chosen.
He said the defeat sends a signal to the MMD to reflect on the mistakes it made and learn from them adding that Zambia deserved a decent democratic process.
“From this defeat, a new younger MMD will be re-born where a new leadership will be chosen and that leadership will be from the younger generation,” Mr. Banda said.
He congratulated the MMD contestants who have scooped their local government and parliamentary seats and urged those who lost to work extra hard so that win again.
He thanked his former cabinet and civil servants for delivering on the promises as evidenced by the vast projects that were blossom
“Some of you MMD members will be back to serve the people and Zambia again. I know you will do your best for your party and your country.  I must also thank my cabinet and civil servants for delivering on our promises we did a lot of good for Zambia by the projects that we did,” the out-going president said.
Mr. Banda further thanked his family and the First Lady Thandiwe for supporting him when he was head of state.
“Words cannot express the depth of my love for you all. All I ask is that my family continues to serve Zambia as I have sought to do,” he said.
Patriotic Front (PF) strongman, Micheal Chilufya Sata, scooped the 2011 presidential elections after polling   1, 150, 045 in the 143 constituencies tallied  while Mr. Rupiah Banda of the MMD now the opposition had polled 961, 796 votes.
Chief Justice Ernest Sakala who is the presidential Returning Officer declared Mr. Sata duly elected about 00:30 and explained that the difference in votes was higher than the total number of registered voters in the remaining constituencies and that it was within the law to declare Sata as new republican President elect.
Celebrations are going on around the country in many towns with the capital city, Lusaka and Kitwe which experienced heavy riots during the day and night are now in a ‘jovial’ mood.

We thank Mr. Banda for his participation in the democratic process of Zambia which many countries are yearning for.