By PERPETUAL SICHIKWENKWE
in Solwezi –
PRESIDENT Edgar Lungu has implored the church in the country to be the torch-bearer of messages of peace and offer counsel to political leaders in the run-up to the general elections in August, this year.
The President said there were already some indicators that peace was being threatened.
Mr Lungu said the Church was key during this crucial period, when political campaigns get to the peak and violence also takes a share of political events.
The President is currently in North-Western Province touring various projects.
He took time to join the New Apostolic Church members during a service in Kyawama, where he implored church leaders to provide counsel to political leaders and preach the message of peace.
President Lungu had continued to reiterate the call for peace in the country, a message he had communicated at various functions.
“The Church should not only pray for the nation, but should also render counsel to political leaders to avoid breaking the peace. We are your children and we are members of the Church,” he said.
Mr Lungu said Zambia had always enjoyed peace and as such, he would not want to be a President who would violate this trend.
He was accompanied by his Special Assistant for Press and Public Relations Amos Chanda, Patriotic Front (PF) deputy secretary general Mumbi Phiri, his campaign manager Samuel Mukupa and the ruling party’s deputy spokesperson Frank Bwalya.
Apostle Patrick Poho said during the service that Zambia would rise and shine only if the citizenry believed and had hope in God.
He thanked President Lungu for believing in the word of God and choosing to worship with his congregation out of the many churches in the area.
He said as the elections approached, there was need to stand firm so that peace could prevail and God would bestow his blessings on the nation.
Earlier, North-Western Province PF chairperson, Emmanuel Chihili assured President Lungu of victory in this year’s elections.
Mr Chihili said when he welcomed the President at Solwezi Airport that the people were behind him and wanted him to continue leading the country.