Lungu’s humble reaction to criticism praised

Wed, 28 Jun 2017 14:06:08 +0000

By ANNIE ZULU

PRESIDENT Edgar Lungu’s stance on criticism from some Church leaders is proof that he is a humble leader who respects the Church, former spokesperson to Hakainde Hichilema, Edward Mumbi, has said.

And Mr Mumbi has charged that President Lungu’s call on the Church to unite in order to give undivided counsel to government and politicians in particular must be commended and taken seriously.

President Lungu on Sunday during the induction Church service of Reverend Westone Simwinga of Twapia United Church of Zambia (UCZ) Congregation in Ndola appealed to the Church to unite and speak with one voice in order to give clear direction to the nation.

The President noted that conflicting statements from different Church groupings on various nation issues are dividing the nation.

“It was very encouraging to listen to President Edgar Lungu’s speech at the induction ceremony, knowing that many are the times when politicians who are not humble react very badly to criticism and at times unwarranted attacks on their leadership.

“But President Lungu has reacted in a manner of a humble person who respected the Church and its leaders, but intelligently guided that Church can divide a nation which is very true,” Mr Mumbi said.

Meanwhile, Mr Mumbi has indicated that the attack that President Edgar Lungu suffered recently from the three Church Mother Bodies and particularly from Lusaka Catholic Archbishop Telesphore Mpundu, was not necessary.

He said Archbishop’s Mpundu’s statement that the President was a dictator was ungodly, especially that he was a senior Christian and top most Catholic leader.

“Calling the President a dictator is not a building guidance from such a senior Christian and the top most Catholic leader. The Archbishop should not have shown personal and selective guidance in his political opinion,” he said.

Mr Mumbi has since advised the Church not to divide politicians but rather intercede for them in prayer.

“Prayer is not for Christians alone but for everyone and not only for a section or selective groupings, Archbishop Mpundu should have taken a moment to reflect seriously before he said what he said,” he said.