. BWALYA
By HOPE BWALYA –
THE Patriotic Front (PF) has refuted claims attributed to Forum for Democracy and Development (FDD) president Edith Nawakwi that President Edgar Lungu wants her to be his running mate.
The PF has since given Ms Nawakwi 48 hours to prove her claims to the public.
PF deputy spokesperson Frank Bwalya said it was disappointing that a woman of integrity like Ms Nawakwi could make such claims.
“One thing I can confirm is that President Lungu has never had a conversation with Ms Nawakwi on working together with the FDD.
“President Lungu has never said anything in hiding regarding the issue of a running mate. We are giving Ms Nawakwi 48 hours to prove her allegations,” he said.
Mr Bwalya was reacting to a story that was published in Friday’s edition of the Post.
The article said Ms Nawakwi had been approached by Mr Lungu to be his running mate and that she had sent him many messages refusing the offer.
Mr Bwalya said in an interview in Lusaka yesterday that Ms Nawakwi should not drag the PF and President Lungu into disrepute.
He challenged the FDD president to state the place and the time when Mr Lungu made such announcements.
Mr Bwalya said the PF’s aim was to engage the public on issue-based politics and not unfounded claims.
He wondered whether Ms Nawakwi understood the implications of her claims as it meant that the President was lying to the people of Zambia.
