HH recognises Lungu?

Mon, 07 Aug 2017 10:11:09 +0000

By BENNIE MUNDANDO

HAKAINDE Hichilema has given me an impression that the 2016 election is nolonger an issue for him after urging him to accept defeat and focus on how to do things better in future, former Nigerian President Olusegun Obasanjo has said.

Gen. Obasanjo made the expression when he briefed the media about his two-hour meeting with Mr. Hichilema at Mukobeko maximum prison in Kabwe on Saturday.

Gen. Obasanjo said he was impressed with the discussion he had with Mr. Hichilema whom he visited at the facilitation of President Edgar Lungu.

He said from the meeting with Mr. Hichilema, he noted that the gap between the opposition leader and President Lungu was getting narrower, a development he said gave hope that the two parties would soon put the 2016 behind them and move forward.

“I get an impression from the opposition leader that 2016 is no longer an issue but about what happens in the future and how we can do things better. I see that the gap between the opposition leader and His Excellency the president is narrowing and I think that we can move the country forward and put the issues of 2016 behind us,” Gen. Obasanjo said.

He said he had reviewed the videos over the Mongu road fracas which led to the incarceration of Mr. Hichilema and said the actions of the opposition leader were above board but said as an elderly African statesman, he would remain resolute to ensuring that peace reigned across the 53 African countries.

“I have looked at some of the videos regarding the presidential motorcade and that of the opposition leader – (they) are quite overboard. I think it should not be like that. I remain committed with the task to do as much as I can to help advance progress because without prosperity in Zambia, peace and security will not be helping the ordinary people that we are supposed to serve.

“As an elderly African statesman, I remain fully committed to ensuring that peace, stability are at progress and continue to exist, not just in Zambia but in all the 53 countries in Africa,” he said.

And Gen. Obasanjo thanked President Lungu for giving him chance to see Mr. Hichilema adding that he was happy with the response he got from the UPND leader on the need to uphold national peace and unity.

“Am happy that His Excellency allowed me to visit and I had a two hour discussion with the opposition leader. I brought to his attention various issues regarding the need to uphold peace, unity and stability of the country,” he said.