UPND spreading hate

Sun, 18 Dec 2016 09:50:15 +0000

By Oscar Malipenga

THE kind of intolerance and bitterness the UPND leadership is exhibiting in Zambia is toxic and can cause bloodshed if not stopped, says former UNPD deputy spokesperson Edwin Lifwekelo.

Mr Lifwekelo charged that Mr Hakainde Hichilema the UPND president and his vice for administrati0n Mr Geoffrey Bwalya Mwamba were a danger to Zambia’s peace and existence.

In a statement issued to the Sunday Nation, Mr Lifwekelo said that the directive by the UPND leadership to its Members of Parliament to stop interacting and participating in government programmes was not only dictatorial but primitive too.

Mr Lifwekelo said it was clear that had the UPND won the 2016 presidential elections, they would have divided Zambia by directing ministers and government operatives to stop working with the opposition.

“Imagine if President Edgar Lungu directed ministers to stop working with the opposition MPs or risk being fired, what would happen?” asked Mr Lifwekelo.

He said Mr Hichilema and Mwamba’s continued provocation of President Lungu was deliberate and meant to undermine the Head of State and governance programmes.

Mr Lifwekelo said UPND must know that tempting fate was taking a foolish risk that was dependent on luck.

He said regardless of the UPND’s views on national issues, there was need to recognise that there was a functional and legitimate government in charge.

“We want to remind the UPND leadership that they must realise that for every member of the UPND that has been radicalised into disaffection, there is a PF member ready to defend President Lungu.

“Their continued provocation on the leadership of President Lungu should not be tolerated by peace loving Zambians,” he said.

Mr Lifwekelo said it was high time UPND exhibited high level intellect to addressing national issues.

“Hakainde and Mwamba are a danger to Zambia’s peace and existence,” he said.

Mr Lifwekelo said Mr Hichilema and Mr Mwamba had become architects of perpetual tribal divisions in the country.

Mr Lifwekelo said President Lungu does not need to be recognised by UPND because he had already been recognised by Zambians.

“UPND is wasting time by living in denial and not recognising the legitimacy of President Lungu. Their leadership should swallow their bitterness and come to accept that Zambians had renewed the governing mandate of President Lungu for the next five years.

“We are aware of a number of progressive UPND MPs who are frustrated and displeased by their leadership’s alleged instructions to disrupt Parliament business in a bid to destabilise the PF administration,” Mr Lifwekelo.

He said it was now time for deep introspection and reflection.