SYLVESTER MWALE  in Kalumbila –
FORMER Defence minister George Mpombo has backed President Edgar Lungu’s style of leadership, describing him as a leader who has a heart for all the Zambians and wants the best for the country.
Mr Mpombo, who yesterday shared a platform in Kalumbila District with President Lungu to drum up support for the Patriotic Front (PF) candidate in the September 24, Solwezi West by-election, expressed his admiration at what the Head of State has achieved so far in terms of fostering development to different parts of the country.
The PF is banking on Martin Mbaya to scoop the Solwezi West seat.
Mr Mpombo, who served in government under the MMD, said President Lungu had managed to turn around the economic fortunes of North-Western Province in the time that he had been in office.
“President Edgar Lungu has demonstrated that he has the passion for this province. He wants to get this province out of abuse and underdevelopment, and he has the capacity to do that.
“You have seen
that the Chingola-Solwezi Road is being worked on and this was done even without the by-election. So I can say that President Lungu is an all-weather friend of North-Western Province,” Mr Mpombo said amid applause from hundreds of residents who attended the public rally at Musele grounds.
He said if other leaders failed to deliver development in the past, it would be unfair to suggest that the same would happen under President Lungu, judging by his vision to transform the country’s economic
landscape.
President Lungu urged the people in Solwezi West to vote for Mr Mbaya in order to enhance connectivity with the Government, so as to develop the area.
“To avoid a disconnection with the Government, give us Mbaya because if you give us someone else, there will be no network, you will be out of coverage,” Mr Lungu said.
He said the PF had witnessed increased numbers of people joining it under his leadership because he was a leader who embraced everyone.
Mr Lungu said that it would be difficult for him to advise or work with a different MP rather than Mr Mbaya, who had shown that he was a humble man who was ready to listen to the people.
He said the ruling party had realised that power belonged to the people and would, therefore, endeavour to ensure that the electorate were not disappointed.
The President said the only reward that he could give to the Zambian people for putting the PF in power would be to deliver development.
Mr Mbaya promised the people that he would work with them to develop the area further.
The Solwezi West seat fell vacant following the death of MMD’s Humphrey Mwanza.
Others contesting the seat are Teddy Kasonso on the UPND ticket and UNIP’s John Njombi.