A few senior leaders decide to do a noble thing and hold what would otherwise be a very important meeting to examine the problems in the MMD.

Before they can even map out strategies of how to tackle the problems, their tongues are twisted to a point of disrespecting His Majesty the Litunga of Barotseland.

Before they can even begin to fathom what has hit them, their caucus is disowned by the chief executive of the party. The result is a hullabaloo of accusations and counter-accusations which leaves any sane person's head spinning with confusion.

Another scenario: On one hand, the MMD general secretary soberly concedes defeat in the Solwezi by-election pointing out that the loss is a wake up call for his party to work harder in future elections whilst on the other hand, the MMD elections strategist warns the victors against over-celebrating (The Post, Friday 20,2009).

The dominant scenario: Some of the most influential, prominent and courageous members of the MMD continue to speak out over their disillusionment with President Rupiah Banda's style of leadership.

They continue to advise him on many issues such as the involvement of his sons in government's business deals and the need to choose the MMD presidential candidate through a convention, but their words are drowned in a cacophony of name-calling brought about by Rupiah's minions.

In the process, Rupiah chooses to ignore the well-meant advice. He chooses to be distracted by his minions and continues to wine and dine them at the expense of the suffering masses who cannot feed from the crumbs of the Presidential table.

Just what is happening with the ruling party? Never in the history of the MMD has their been such confusion, disunity and squabbling. To say the MMD is at sixes and sevens is an understatement. What is currently going on in the MMD can only be compared with the confusion that overwhelmed the Babylonians as they were trying to build the Tower of Babel. Only this time the role of Nimrod is being successfully played by Rupiah.

At first glance, one would say the ruling party needs a lot of prayer, soul-searching and reconciliation amongst its leaders if it is to withstand the dark forces that have connived against it. However, a closer look brings out something else, that the hour has come for a close of the MMD era.