By CHILA NAMAIKO
and JAMES KUNDA –

. LUNGU

PRESIDENT Edgar Lungu has challenged those claiming to be founder members of the Patriotic Front (PF) to resign and form their own political parties if they cannot embrace newcomers.
Meanwhile, more than 60 members from the Rainbow Party in Choma and other districts yesterday joined the PF at a huge public rally addressed by Mr Lungu yesterday at Independence Stadium in Choma.
Mr Lungu said when late President Michael Sata formed the PF, among his fundamental ideologies was to embrace newcomers into the ruling party.
The Head of State urged genuine party members to accept newcomers in order to grow the PF because the new clause in the Constitution’s on 50 per cent plus one required amassing more members.
“I am declaring that I am now challenging those claiming to be PF founder members to leave, let them quit and form their own political parties.
“Whether you are an old or new member, if you want to quit please do so now. I am saying this with confidence because I saw how Mr Sata struggled to form this party,” Mr Lungu said.
He said the PF was not owned by any individual as being claimed by some people, as it was an all-inclusive party formed to embrace new members.
Mr Lungu said although Zambians had democratic rights to criticise him on national matters, it was essential to do so in a constructive manner unlike issuing hate speeches against him.
“Democracy allows people to oppose me, but not wanting to kill me. As commander-in-chief of the armed forces, I want to assure that there will be peace before, during and after the August 11 general elections,” the President said.
He cautioned some politicians against using tribal political schemes to get to State House as PF would win the elections with a landslide margin.
The PF members were told to start identifying capable leaders to contest at parliamentary and local Government levels.
The President’s desire was to see PF scooping more seats at parliamentary and ward levels, with 40 per cent being women while another 40 per cent should go to the youth.
Mr Lungu was shocked that some opposition leaders were criticising the Government’s decision to start importing maize when it was preparing for any eventualities.
PF Southern Province chairperson Charles Hamududu said the party was intact and that opposition members were joining owing to the Government’s infrastructure projects.
Defence Minister Richwell Siamunene and PF Member of the Central Committee (MCC) Syacheye Madyenkuku urged people in the province to support Mr Lungu.
Provincial Minister Nathaniel Mubukwanu cautioned Zambians against experimenting with leadership each time the country had an election, saying there was need to re-elect Mr Lungu.
More than 60 Rainbow Party members ditched their leader Wynter Kabimba, saying they wanted to support Mr Lungu because PF was a progressive party.
Helen Hasalama, who spoke on behalf of other defectors, appealed to all Zambians to support Mr Lungu to enable him to continue with his national development agenda.
Meanwhile, Choma yesterday came to a standstill as President Lungu’s motorcade passed through the central business district en route to old Choma Airstrip to inspect Government projects and holding a rally at Choma Independence Stadium.
Scores of excited residents lined up the Choma-Lusaka main road to catch a glimpse of the Head of State who waved at the people in a jovial mood.
Mr Lungu also toured Kalomo District where he met with chiefs Sipatunyana of Kalomo and Simwatachela from Zimba.
He assured the two traditional leaders of Government’s commitment to developing all corners of the country.
The Head of State also addressed Kalomo residents whom he assured that no individual would be allowed to divide Zambia on tribal lines.
Mr Lungu concluded his visit of Kalomo with a tour of the district hospital which is currently under construction.