By JAMES KUNDA, HELEN ZULU and REBECCA MUSHOTA –
PRESIDENT Edgar Lungu is a national leader whose development agenda has penetrated the walls of tribalism and regionalism, the Patriotic Front (PF) has said.
Meanwhile, the PF has said there is no “wind of change” blowing over Zambia to necessitate a change of Government, adding that the ruling party is headed for victory across all the categories being contested in next month’s polls.
PF deputy chairperson for elections Kelvin Bwalya said President Lungu was visiting all corners of the country and commissioning multi-million Kwacha Government projects which had been realised even in areas where the incumbent got fewer votes in last year’s election.
“President Lungu is a national leader who does not flaunt tribe unlike others. Tribalism and regionalism belong to a party that has been dubbed by the defunct Post newspaper as ‘bantustan’, not PF and President Lungu,” Mr Bwalya said in a statement yesterday.
He cited developments such as the construction of a road leading to Livingstone, cutting through the major districts of Southern Province and the investment in power generation.
He said owing to the development programmes of the PF, Zambians should reject United Party for National Development president Hakainde Hichilema in next month’s general elections.
And PF deputy spokesperson Frank Bwalya said the ruling party’s popularity countrywide was at its peak, and that Mr Lungu was excited and confident of retaining the presidency.
Mr Bwalya, who is also Mr Lungu’s deputy campaign manager, said this to journalists at City Airport in Lusaka on Wednesday upon arrival from Northern Province where the Head of State had been for a working visit.
“Zambians supported and voted for PF in 2011 even before the party could implement any of its promises. This time around we have done a lot of what we promised, so the support has doubled because PF has proved that it can be trusted,” he said.
Meanwhile, prominent political commentator and economist Mbita Chitala has said that President Lungu is on the right path of guiding Zambia to prosperity.
Dr Chitala said it was clear that Mr Lungu had proved to be the most capable candidate to take Zambia to higher heights.
He was speaking on a special programme on Radio Phoenix on Wednesday.
“Zambians should be sincere enough. The one year-plus that President Lungu has been at the helm, so much has gone well for the country. He has managed to steer the country well even amid challenges,” Dr Chitala said.
He said the President had delivered beyond what was expected of him in less than two years.