News / National
'Stop jostling for positions, target presidency'
05 Jun 2018 at 02:30hrs | Views
MDC ALLIANCE spokesperson and MDC leader, Welshman Ncube has challenged coalition members to stop fighting for positions and focus on drumming up support for the coalition's presidential candidate, Nelson Chamisa ahead of general elections set for July 30.
Ncube made the remarks while addressing an MDC Alliance campaign rally in Nkayi North, Matabeleland North province on Sunday.
The remarks came in the wake of numerous clashes among MDC Alliance members over sharing of council and parliamentary seats with Chamisa's MDC-T accused of trespassing into constituencies reserved for other alliance partners.
Ncube said since 2000, the main opposition MDC had many legislators, but lost the presidential bid. He said winning parliamentary seats does not change anything in the governance system.
"We have had opposition members of Parliament for many years, but nothing has changed. However, there is only one issue that can change our lives and that's removing Zanu-PF government, a government that perpetuates hunger, poverty and endless troubles," he told supporters.
"That's the key issue. If we do not change the State House issue, that is the President, we won't be doing ourselves any favours. This year is Nelson Chamisa's time; he is the one to use to remove Zanu-PF from State House. [The late MDC-T leader] Morgan Tsvangirai birthed the idea of an alliance and re-united the parties."
"However, when we are in the process of re-uniting there some among us who are losing focus and direction, a woman says ‘I want to be the president'. We are not chasing after positions, we will look into that after we liberate ourselves, only what we are for is removing Zanu-PF from power on July 30 and have a better life," he said in an apparent jibe directed at breakaway MDC-T faction leader Thokozani Khupe.
Khupe severed ties with the Chamisa a few months ago following an ugly fight over the party presidency.
But, Ncube described her move as divisive and meant to weaken the opposition and advantage ruling Zanu-PF presidential candidate Emmerson Mnangagwa.
"This is not the time to be divided. Everywhere you go right now in Zimbabwe, the name Nelson Chamisa is abuzz. This is the opportunity not to miss. We should not be fooled by some people who will come to you saying ‘it's my time to be president'."
"Mnangagwa, who was a bus conductor, now says Zimbabwe is open for business, the key question is who had closed the country for business? We all know that he is incapable of doing that. He was Mugabe's conductor for 38 years," he said.
Addressing the same crowd, Binga South MP Joel Gebuza Gabbuza (MDC-T) said the MDC Alliance was on a mission to liberate the electorate from Zanu-PF misrule.
"I have been an MP in Binga since 2000 and nothing has changed for those people. This is because we are not in power. We should not squabble over who will be a councillor or MP, that would never assist us," he said.
"Instead, we should all be fighting to change the government. I appeal to you that we must focus on the bigger picture and try to assist those who are lost to change their minds and be part of the Alliance."
Ncube made the remarks while addressing an MDC Alliance campaign rally in Nkayi North, Matabeleland North province on Sunday.
The remarks came in the wake of numerous clashes among MDC Alliance members over sharing of council and parliamentary seats with Chamisa's MDC-T accused of trespassing into constituencies reserved for other alliance partners.
Ncube said since 2000, the main opposition MDC had many legislators, but lost the presidential bid. He said winning parliamentary seats does not change anything in the governance system.
"We have had opposition members of Parliament for many years, but nothing has changed. However, there is only one issue that can change our lives and that's removing Zanu-PF government, a government that perpetuates hunger, poverty and endless troubles," he told supporters.
"That's the key issue. If we do not change the State House issue, that is the President, we won't be doing ourselves any favours. This year is Nelson Chamisa's time; he is the one to use to remove Zanu-PF from State House. [The late MDC-T leader] Morgan Tsvangirai birthed the idea of an alliance and re-united the parties."
Khupe severed ties with the Chamisa a few months ago following an ugly fight over the party presidency.
But, Ncube described her move as divisive and meant to weaken the opposition and advantage ruling Zanu-PF presidential candidate Emmerson Mnangagwa.
"This is not the time to be divided. Everywhere you go right now in Zimbabwe, the name Nelson Chamisa is abuzz. This is the opportunity not to miss. We should not be fooled by some people who will come to you saying ‘it's my time to be president'."
"Mnangagwa, who was a bus conductor, now says Zimbabwe is open for business, the key question is who had closed the country for business? We all know that he is incapable of doing that. He was Mugabe's conductor for 38 years," he said.
Addressing the same crowd, Binga South MP Joel Gebuza Gabbuza (MDC-T) said the MDC Alliance was on a mission to liberate the electorate from Zanu-PF misrule.
"I have been an MP in Binga since 2000 and nothing has changed for those people. This is because we are not in power. We should not squabble over who will be a councillor or MP, that would never assist us," he said.
"Instead, we should all be fighting to change the government. I appeal to you that we must focus on the bigger picture and try to assist those who are lost to change their minds and be part of the Alliance."
Source - newsday
