By HOPE BWALYA –
MPONGWE MMD Member of Parliament (MP) Gabriel Namulambe and his Kafue counterpart Obvious Mwaliteta have endorsed the candidature of United Party for National Development (UPND) leader Hakainde Hichilema during the forthcoming general elections.
However, PF information committee member Sunday Chanda has said the decision by Mr Mwaliteta is laughable and misdirected as it was done out of frustration.
“We find it extremely laughable that former Lusaka Province minister Obvious Mwaliteta has opted to defect to the opposition UPND out of frustration considering that he is barred from re-contesting the Kafue Parliamentary seat by the amended Constitution of Zambia, which prescribes for a minimum Grade 12 certificate or its equivalent,” he said.
Speaking during a UPND press briefing in Lusaka yesterday, Mr Mwaliteta said he was endorsing the UPND leader to move the country forward economically.
“ For today, I have come to endorse Mr Hichilema and will defect later,” he said.
But Mr Chanda said Mr Mwaliteta’s decision to endorse the UPND president was done out of frustration as he did not satisfy the requirements needed to contest a seat.
Mr Chanda said it was unacceptable for the Kafue MP to vent his annoyance on the PF when he was part of the legislators who passed the 2015 Amended Constitution Bill which was later assented to by President Lungu.
He, however, said Mr Mwaliteta was free to join any opposition party of his choice.
Meanwhile, Mr Namulambe said he was endorsing the UPND leader as he had seen enough suffering among Zambians due to the current economic situation the country was experiencing.
He said he would not re-contest the Mpongwe seat but would support the UPND candidate that would be adopted.
And Mr Hichilema thanked the two PF MPs for their endorsement.