Mon, 27 Feb 2017 10:36:48 +0000
By CHARLES MUSONDA
THE United Party for National Development (UPND) should discard its political pride and accept President Lungu as the duly elected Head of State, says Bible Gospel Church in Africa (BIGOCA) presiding bishop Peter Ndhlovu.
Last Friday, the UPND in Southern Province vowed not to recognize President Lungu as the Head of State.
In an interview in Lusaka, Bishop Ndhlovu said it was unfortunate that the UPND could reject the election of a President who won the republican presidency through a popular vote.
He said it was an insult of the worst order for one to undermine President Lungu’s victory which had been widely acknowledged and recognized by major governments and credible institutions the world over.
“It is sad that others cannot recognize President Edgar Chagwa; and this is an insult to the Zambian people. We believe that in this country we only have one way we have chosen to govern ourselves and it is only through the ballot. He was elected by the people and declared as duly elected by our institution which governs our elections.
“Therefore, I would like to urge the UPND to come out of their pride and accept defeat because there is tomorrow, there is 2021. For them to continue living in deceit and shun away from the fact that Edgar Lungu is the President, I think they are living in their own world,” Bishop Ndhlovu said.
He advised the UPND to go back to the drawing board and plan for 2021.
“Elections are not over and we have elections every five years and therefore I believe they can still emerge. Unless God allows you to be a leader, this is a Christian nation and it is only God who can ordain and approve you as a leader.
“If someone can fight a God-given leader, they are fighting against their own destiny. I believe we need to reach a point of coming out of politics and focus on development of this country. Southern Province is part of Zambia and in Zambia we only have one President,” Bishop Ndhlovu said.
He called on politicians to embrace the spirit of accepting defeat and congratulating the victors.
“UPND come out of your pride and accept Edgar Lungu as the President. Time will come and if God approves you as a leader there will be no struggle,” he said.
