Taima resigns from MMD, prompting another by-election

Taima (l) PF Tunvwaganai Ward Councillor Tarzy Sichalwe (middle)

 MMD Member of Parliament (MP) for Solwezi East and Deputy Minister for Commerce, Trade and Industry Richard Taima has resigned from the former ruling party to join the Patriotic Front (PF).

This is what The Independent Observer had predicted of more by-elections which will help the PF Government to gain more grip in the National Assembly.

Other by-elections are looming in Sinjembela and Kalabo Central where two opposition UPND  Members of Parliament (MPs) appointed into to serve in PF Government, are about to be taken out of the party.
And on the Copperbelt Kafulafuta MMD MP, James Chishiba is contemplating to defect to PF.

Already the Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ) has set June 20, 2013 as the date for by-elections in Lusaka’s Feira Constituency.
The Feira seat fell vacant after area MP Patrick Ngoma was lured to PF and was appointed deputy minister.
Since PF came to power about 11 parliamentary by-elections have been held being Chongwe, Mufumbwe, Petauke, Chama, Muchinga, Livingstone twice, Mpongwe, Kapiri, Lukulu and now Feira.

Speaking at t a press briefing to announce his resignation in Solwezi at Hillview Lodge yesterday, Mr Taima said people of Northwestern province should not continue distancing themselves whilst watching other Zambians from other regions actively participate in the economic development agenda of Zambia.
He urged traditional leaders, senior citizens and all the people of Northwestern province to stop being mere critics but work closely with the PF government for the common good of the province.
 “It would be unwise for us to continue distancing ourselves from the PF government which is
currently driving our nation’s development agenda and against this background, I now wish to announce my resignation from my party with immediate effect and I have immediately joined PF,” he said.
He said no part of Zambia should disadvantage itself by deliberately choosing to stay out of the governance system of the country.
 Mr Taima said he was joining the PF government in a bid to ensure that Solwezi East got proper representation and meaningful development.
He said his decision to align himself with the PF government would enable him push for more developmental projects within government unlike when he was an opposition MP.
“It would be unfair to expect President Michael Sata and the PF in general by whatever means to include people from all regions of the country in his government without providing him the MPs from which he could pick to include in government. This is the more reason why people of this province should not remain spectators but come on board and work with the government of the day,” he said.
At the same gathering former Solwezi District Commissioner Frobisher Fulayi also announced his decision to join the PF together with 150 MMD members from Solwezi East.
Meanwhile, Acting PF Northwestern Provincial Chairman Richard Kamboyi urged PF members to embrace those joining the party regardless of their status in society adding that people coming to the PF had something unique to contribute to the party.
Mr Kamboyi said for the PF to fulfill its promises, it needed everyone to be on board for development of the province.