Lungu Can’t Be Candidate For Party Presidency And SG At The Same Time -Scott

Acting President Dr Guy Scott says Edgar Lungu cannot be PF secretary general and at the same time contest the party presidency.
But Lungu yesterday said he remains secretary general until the party picks a candidate for the January 20, 2015 presidential election. In a statement, Lungu stated that he has not resigned as PF secretary general but has simply taken leave of absence. He stated that he had received several concerns and queries following a story that circulated in some sections of the media stating that he had resigned or relinquished his position as secretary general of the PF.
“I am hereby stating for the record that I have not resigned my position as SG. I have simply taken leave of absence or temporarily stepped aside until our party finalises a decision to select who shall run for the position of party president.
With this statement, I wish to re-affirm that I, Edgar C Lungu, remain Secretary General of the PF until such a time that a substantive candidate has been named to contest the 20th January 2015 by-election. In my absence, the Deputy Secretary General Mrs Bridgette Atanga will act as the Secretary General of the Party,” read Lungu’s statement.
But acting President Scott said he did not understand Lungu ‘s contention because all those contesting the party presidency needed to relinquish whatever positions they held. He said in an interview before announcing Atanga’s appointment yesterday afternoon that Lungu could not be secretary general of the party when he is contesting the presidency. Acting President Scott said he did not understand why Lungu wanted to hang on the position of secretary general when the rules for contesting the party presidency were very clear. “I don’t understand what he is saying. He is nervous…Ms Atanga is the substantive secretary general of the party, ‘chapwa’ (that is all),” he said. “He can’t be a candidate for the party presidency and at the same time be the party secretary general. And to say that he is on holiday, it is meaningless.” When asked if there was a possibility of him retaining his position if he withdraws from the contest for the party presidency, acting President Scott said that could be looked into. “We can arrange that. But for now, as long as he is a candidate for the presidency, his position as secretary general ceases,” said acting President Scott who also appointed Anthony Kasolo as the party’s deputy secretary general.
And during the briefing at his office, acting President Scott said the PF is still checking on the qualifications of all candidates that have applied for the PF presidency. He said the scrutiny would specifically look at the parentage clause.
“We have a friendly process contrary to what we have been reading that there is chaos, scramble and confusion. It is democracy, that is all it is and with the latest happenings, it looks like we shall hold the general conference sometime next week,” said acting President Scott.