LUSAKA, Zambia

A former Zambian vice president on Monday denied reports that he was pulling out of Thursday's presidential election in return for an alleged $1 million bribe.

Nevers Mumba, a televangelist and politician, told reporters in the capital Lusaka that the false reports were the work of enemies of his recently founded New Hope Movement for Multiparty Democracy (MMD).

"Today, as I speak to you, I'm reportedly $1 million richer after agreeing to withdraw from the presidential race. What a false report," he said.

“In fact I consider myself worth more than a million dollars.”

He challenged those behind the report to withdraw it and apologize to him and his party.

Mumba said he is running in Thursday’s elections because he wants to bring the country renewed ideas and hope.

He said he would rather suffer personal loss than sacrifice the interest of the Southern African country by bowing out of the race.

Urging the police and election officials to treat all political players equally, he urged Zambians to turn up in large numbers to cast their votes.

Vice president in 2003-2004, Mumba left office after being fired by then-President Levy Mwanawasa.

He also served as Zambia's high commissioner to Canada in 2009-2011, when then-President Rupiah Banda, who took over from Mwanawasa, lost his office to Michael Sata.