Unite to dislodge UPND, FDD urges Zambians

Unite to dislodge UPND, FDD urges Zambians

By Thandizo Banda

FORUM for Democracy and Development (FDD) has urged Zambians to unite and save the country from collapse under the United Party for National Development (UPND) rule.

FDD spokesperson Anthony Chibuye said it was in the best interest of the country to vote out the UPND next year.

Chibuye said if Zambians failed to vote against the UPND to eject it from government, the nation fall into total disarray.

“Given the dismal performance of the UPND government, rise in tribal appointments, nepotism, destruction of the justice system, politicisation of the police, high cost of living, appetite to rape the Constitution at all cost in the past four years and one month, replacing the UPND is a non-negotiable issue by all well-meaning Zambians whether UPND itself, ordinary or opposition,” he said.

He said Zambians had sacrificed their time and resources to usher the UPND into power in 2021, but were sadly disappointed in the manner in which the current regime had managed to divide the country into regions, tribes and other social groups.

“It is true today that members and symphasisers of the UPND who played a vital role in UPND to get into power have been reduced to mere spectators. Today, individuals such as Amos Chanda, Sunday Chanda, Robert Chabinga, Frank Bwalya, Thabo Kawana and many others who were nowhere near the UPND struggles in opposition are now the greatest beneficiaries of their sacrifices,” Chibuye said.

He said it was shocking how the UPND had turned against the promotion of and respect for the rule of law by threatening people who offered checks and balances.

Chibuye said it was the first time in the history of the country a large number of politicians had been jailed, and a number of people running away for fear of political and selective arrests.

“Worse of, those who opposed UPND such as Chilufya Tayali and Jay Jay Banda have been made to flee the country into exile for fear of being persecuted politically by the intolerant UPND regime. No Zambian today can think of justice under the UPND administration. Anyone who disagrees with UPND and President Hakainde Hichilema is guilty before proven innocent,” he said.

Chibuye appealed to Zambians, home and abroad, to unite and help to fight tribalism, incompetence, hatred and restore democracy and constitutionalism in the country.

“We have a duty as citizens of Zambia to save our country from total collapse. Already, it has become evident that UPND has been using the innocent people of Southern Province to run a tribal narrative. We have heard that one chief executive officer [CEO] of a particular department is on record as wanting to use the people of Southern Province to further the UPND agenda of tribalism,” he said.

Chibuye said founder members of the UPND would recall that, when founding leader Anderson Mazoka died, UPND propagated that only a Tonga should succeed him, and the current leadership emerged.

“This has been the foundation of the current regime for 21 years without anyone having to challenge it at any convention. And, sadly, young misguided entities like Bruce Kanema would, for a few coins, start making non-issues such as declaring Hakainde Hichilema as the sole presidential candidate for 2026,” he said.