By John Chola
The ruling party in Zambia has endorsed President Rupiah Banda as its candidate in the 2011 elections despite his earlier pledge to rule the Southern African country for only three years.
After a meeting held yesterday the Movement for Multiparty Democracy (MMD) says it has resolved that Banda be its sole candidate for the 2011 elections.
Meanwhile Banda says he is ready to contest the presidency on the MMD ticket because the nation wants him to do so.
The spokesperson for the MMD (Benny Tetamashimba) says Banda is no longer viewed as an outsider for he is now recognised by the National Executive Committee (NEC) as the party president.
The 72 years old Banda emerged winner after elections last October following the death of former president Levy Mwanawasa.
Tetamashimba says all NEC members and general party members including those who stood against Banda when the MMD was selecting a candidate to lead the party into the elections last year have supported his candidature.
While Mwanawasa was president he offered Banda the vice presidency.
Banda who served in first President Kenneth Kaunda’s government had retired and concentrated on farming in the Eastern part of Zambia.
Banda has been accused by opposition leader Michael Sata of the Patriotic Front of wining last year's polls fraudulently.
Although Banda has been endorsed by the MMD, he currently faces sharp criticism for failing to uphold the pledge to continue Mwanawasa’s hate for corruption.
Some critical private media and the opposition politicians are challenging him to step down saying he has failed to rule the country.
Zambia is currently experiencing widespread strikes by health workers and civil servants.
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