Zambian Vice-President Inonge Wina has announced she will not be presenting herself as a running mate to President Edgar Lungu in presidential elections set for August 12.
Wina said on Sunday that she has decided to “pass on the baton” to someone younger since she was getting old.
“I have reached a stage in my political journey where I need to take a different role that will see a new generation of leaders take charge of the affairs of the country, especially now that stability has been restored by President Edgar Lungu,” Wina said in a statement.
The vice president, who has been in the position since 2015, recently turned 80.
“As most of you can agree I cannot summon the same energy as I had when I was a young wife to a freedom fighter taking a position in the trenches.”
She thanked Lungu for having given her the opportunity to be Zambia’s first female vice president.
In response, Lungu expressed gratitude to Wina for “her wisdom and guidance” since her appointment six years ago.
“I would like to thank Her Honour the Vice-President, Mrs. Inonge Mutukwa Wina, for her wisdom and guidance since I appointed her as Vice-President of our Republic in 2015,” Lungu said in a statement on Sunday night.
Lungu is seeking a third term of office when he squares off against 18 other presidential hopefuls in an eagerly awaited poll in August.
The Zambian electoral law requires that all presidential aspirants should have running mates.
JN/APA