By CHARITY MOONGA –

MORE than 100 UPND members in Chilanga led by their chairperson Onny Nyirongo have defected to the ruling Patriotic Front (PF).
Ms Nyirongo said on behalf of the defectors that the members had realised and appreciated the leadership qualities exhibited by President Edgar Lungu, hence the decision to join the PF.
“I was campaign manager in the UPND but today I have moved to join the PF. This is because of the good leadership by President Lungu who is a true statesman who we should all appreciate and work with,” Ms Nyirongo said.
Ms Nyirongo said President Lungu was a passionate leader who had the heart for Zambians and was determined to foster national growth.
She thanked the Government for empowering women and that from the time Mr Lungu took over leadership, business owners and farmers in Chilanga were doing well.
She said the granting of Chilanga the district status had also raised economic viability.
She appealed to the Government to set up a hospital in Chilanga as well as a youth centre.
UPND Chilanga District trustee Mirriam Makukula apologised for doubting President Lungu’s potential to lead the country.
“As a senior citizen, I have realised Mr Lungu can move the country forward. Mr Lungu has implemented Mr Sata’s programmes, so we will work with him,” she said.
PF national mobilisation vice-chairperson Nigel Mphakateni urged the new members to work closely and ensure the party achieved its development plan for Zambia.
Mr Mphakateni also encouraged Zambians to obtain national registration cards and vote for President Lungu in 2016.
Chilanga District PF constituency chairperson Francis Malauni said the Government was heading in the right direction and had assisted develop Chilanga by turning it into a district.