WHY DESPERATION?

Wed, 20 Sep 2017 11:43:19 +0000

THE levels of desperation being exhibited by the top brass of the opposition United Party for National Development (UPND) leaders do not come as a surprise.

There is no doubt that the leaders are envious of the successes being scored by the ruling Patriotic Front in various sectors of the economy.

Apart from the various infrastructure projects which President Lungu and his government have pulled off successfully, the government has won praises for delivering on its campaign promises.

Judging by their relentless and superfluous criticism of President Lungu and his government, it is clear these leaders did not expect President Lungu to manage to achieve so much thus far.

This is why they cannot help but agree with PF Lusaka Province youth chairperson Kennedy Kamba that fear and desperation have gripped the UPND bigwigs.

This is perhaps because the massive developmental projects which the government has managed to deliver to the people have a very huge bearing on the 2012 election.

Little wonder the UPND has raised so much hullaballoo over the $1.2m Lusaka-Ndola dual carriageway and so many other projects without offering tangible solutions.

 Is UPND afraid the 2021 elections may be another debacle for the party? Well, whatever the reasons, it is obvious the present status quo has thrown the leaders in disarray and state of dilemma.

As Mr Kamba says, Zambians are no longer gullible as they are closely watching the dynamics in the country and know who truly means well.

Given this scenario, it is advisable for the UPND leaders to refrain from always fault-finding and adopting politics of agitation on issues of national development as they risk doing themselves a disservice.

That is not to say the party should not raise their voice on matters of national importance that would not only be a fallacy but farfetched. They should as it is their mandate to ensure checks and balances.

However, as we always allude to, praise should be given where it is due and criticism should not be aimed at demonising those in power but must be objective.

As Mr Kamba says the UPND is missing a golden opportunity to provide credible checks and balances and offer workable solutions to challenges this country because is facing.

Sadly this has not been the case. In many instances the party has digressed from reality as an opposition party.

For example, in instances where Zambians expect the party’s leaders to provide proper guidance, they have always missed the point by demonising those in power, thinking that is what is required of them by the people.

Unfortunately with such tactics, they were not only doing themselves a disservice, but they were also failing the many citizens who expect them to provide credible leadership.

So unless the UPND leadership comes to terms with the reality and abandon their confrontational approach, people cannot help but conclude that they are desperate and gripped with fear in view of the successes the PF government is scoring ahead of the 2021 polls.