•PATRIOTIC Front (PF) chairperson for elections, Jean Kapata (in cap) welcomes United Party for National Development deputy spokesperson, Edwin Lifwekelo back to the PF yesterday.

By JAJAH COULIBALY –
UNITED Party for National Development (UPND) deputy spokesperson Edwin Lifwekelo has rejoined the Patriotic Front (PF) along with the party’s Kabwata Constituency officials.
Mr Lifwekelo, who was received by PF chairperson for elections and member of the Central Committee Jean Kapata at Chrismar Hotel in Lusaka, said he had realised that the PF was a progressive party that meant well for the Zambian people.
Mr Lifwekelo, who is a PF founder member, was the party’s first secretary general in 2001, but left to join the then ruling Movement for Multi-party Democracy.
He later joined the UPND where he was appointed deputy spokesperson until his defection to the ruling PF yesterday.
Ms Kapata, who is the Mandevu parliamentarian, described the defection as a spirit of the prodigal son in the Bible.
She said Mr Lifwekelo had realised that what he had done was wrong and he needed to be forgiven just like the prodigal son.
Reacting to the defection, UPND media liaison committee officer Ruth Dante described Mr Lifwekelo’s defection to the PF as good riddance.
Ms Dante said the party was aware of Mr Lifwekelo’s movements even before he made his decision known as it was read on his face.
She said Mr Lifwekelo was not a factor, but just a mere “political prostitute” who jumped from one party to another.
She further wished Mr Lifwekelo well in his new political journey.
“Though we regard Mr Lifwekelo’s defection as long overdue, I wish him all the best in his political journey,” she said.