FELIX Mutati is currently in “intensive consultations” to form a new political party.
Earlier this month, the Lusaka High Court declared Nevers Mumba as the legitimate president of MMD, putting to rest a protracted leadership tussle with Mutati.
The High Court also declared the MMD convention in 2016 that purported to elect Mutati as president null and void, including any decisions that were made at the convention.
Following the High Court declaration, Mutati indicated that he would not appeal against the judgment and is now consulting on forming a party of his own ahead of the 2021 general elections.
According to sources close to Mutati, the new party is likely to be called the Movement Democratic Congress (MDC).
The source said the new party would have a ‘thumbs up’ as its symbol.
Mutati on Saturday and Sunday held successful closed-door consultative meetings with Catholic bishops in Kasama and Paramount Chief Chitimukulu.
He is also said to have met former MMD members in Kasama.
After the consultations in Northern Province, the former finance minister proceeded to Luapula Province where he is expected to meet Mwata Kazembe and other stakeholders for further consultations.
Asked to comment on the report, Mutati said them as rumours but indicated that he is still consulting with church leaders, family and friends on his next political move.
“These are mere rumours being dispensed by people who have an agenda to pursue. What I am only doing at the moment is carrying out intensive consultations with churches, traditional leaders and other stakeholders to inform the oath on which I should travel, so please don’t give any credit to the rumours,” said Mutati in brief comments.
Mutati was energy and water development minister and also commerce minister in the administrations of former presidents Levy Mwanawasa and Rupiah Banda.
He also served as finance minister and minister of works and supply under President Edgar Lungu.
