By KASONDE KASONDE –
UNITED Party for National Development (UPND) Solwezi central Member of Parliament (MP) Dawson Kafwaya has said he will re-contest his seat on the Patriotic Front (PF) ticket in the August 11 polls.
Mr Kafwaya, who is Local Government and Housing deputy minister, said he would rally behind President Edgar Lungu as he was a quality leader who believed in inclusiveness.
He said he had decided to work with the PF which he believed was the only credible party under the leadership of President Lungu who had proved that he had a passion to develop the nation through the various developmental projects that were underway.
Speaking during a press briefing at Mufumbwe PF lawmaker Stephen Masumba’s residence in Lusaka yesterday, Mr Kafwaya said the people of North-Western Province were in support of President Lungu and the PF contrary to assertions that the party was unpopular.
Mr Kafwaya said Mr Lungu was determined to develop the region despite not getting much support from the area in the January 20, 2015 presidential elections.
And Mr Masumba said he would remain loyal to President Lungu whether he was adopted to contest his seat or not as the Head of State had shown that he could lead the country in the right direction.
Mr Masumba said it was unfortunate that some people were blaming the President over the economy when the situation was a global phenomenon.
He said Mr Lungu was making strides to improve the economy, and that it was shocking that some desperate individuals in the UPND were peddling lies that he was planning to join the opposition party.
“Some desperate individuals are peddling lies that I am planning on joining UPND, but the allegations are false.
“I have no intentions of supporting the opposition and I am confident that President Lungu will win the August 11 elections with support from all provinces including the North-Western,” he said.
Mr Masumba urged senior members in the PF to preach unity and togetherness in order to strengthen the party at the grassroots level.