By ANDREW MUKOMA
FORMER Mbabala Member of Parliament Ephraim Bbelemu has rejoined the UPND after ditching the Patriotic Front (PF).
Mr Bbelemu left UPND on April 9, 2021 to join the PF together with former Choma Mayor, Jackson Makwamba.
In rejoining the party in Livingstone yesterday, the duo apologised to the UPND leadership for leaving, which at some point offended some people.
Mr Bbelemu said that as a person who believes in the ideology of the now ruling party, he was compelled to fulfill his political dreams of working with the UPND.
He said that the decision to defect to the PF was solely his and not what was insinuated by some people that he left UPND after he was left out on adoptions.
And in receiving the duo, a member of the national governing council Elijah Muchima who is also Lands Minister and Ikeleng’i Member of Parliament said it was the desire of the UPND to see more PF members join the party.
Mr Muchima who was flanked by Information and Media Minister, Chushi Kasanda, advised UPND members to allow new and old members who are joining the ruling party.
“Don’t stop people from joining the party. You can only do that if the party is attractive. Let’s make UPND an attractive party, because we want 2026 to be smooth for us,” he said
And national youth chairman Gilbert Liswaniso said it would be practical to have a stronger political party than a stronger government.
Mr Liswaniso said the onus was on party members to recruit and allow more members to join the UPND.
He said that the process should not leave anyone behind including those being called junkies must be brought on board and understand their challenges.
