Avoid nomadic politicians in your cabinet, HH advised

By VANESSA MAGAYA PRESIDENT Hakainde Hichilema should ensure he prioritises loyalty, honesty and principled leadership when considering completing the appointment of his full Cabinet because nomadic politicians often seek public office for personal survival with the danger of eventually turning against their new political appointee, social anthropologist Dr. James Musonda, has said. Speaking in an exclusive interview with Millennium TV, Dr. Musonda says the debate surrounding political loyalty and opportunism have raised critical questions about whether leaders can genuinely trust individuals who switch political allegiance for persona; convenience. Dr Musonda said President Hichilema should particularly avoid political leaders who previously abandoned their colleagues in the Patriotic Front (PF) and the New Republican Party United Party (NRPUP) and were now claiming allegiance to President Hichilema and the UPND. “Although welcoming politicians who cross the floor may appear politically advantageous, their previous conduct should be carefully examined, as those who betray their former allies could repeat the same behaviour when circumstances change. Principled loyalty, even when demonstrated by political opponents, deserves respect and should be considered an important quality in determining who can be trusted with leadership responsibilities,” Dr Musonda said. Dr. Musonda cited Emmanuel Jay Banda and Makebi Zulu as examples of politicians who, regardless of disagreements over their language or political positions, had demonstrated unwavering loyalty to their political camp by continuing to defend the late former President Edgar Chagwa Lungu, even in his death. “The two have been prepared to take risks in defending Mr Lungu and have remained committed to their position rather than conveniently changing political sides. Such steadfastness is becoming increasingly rare in a political environment where politicians are more about themselves than the people they purport to serve,” Dr Musonda said. “People such as Robert Chabinga, Ezra Tembo, Miles Sampa and Chilufya Tayali are examples of politicians whose allegiance is driven by opportunism,” he said. He cautioned President Hichilema against placing unquestioning trust in politicians who had defected from the PF over the past few years, urging him to closely examine their political histories and motivations before making decisions about his Cabinet. “The United Party for National Development is losing its political character because of the influx of defectors. Most of the defectors are associated with increasing political violence and the mocking of opponents. The current political conduct is inconsistent with the values associated with the UPND under its founding leader, the late Anderson Mazoka,” he said. Dr. Musonda further warns that history could repeat itself, arguing that individuals who abandoned late former President Lungu and the PF could eventually turn against the UPND when it would become politically convenient.

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