Don’t force HH to stand next year – SP
By Tony Nkhoma
DONT force President Hakainde Hichilema to stand in 2026 because he has admitted failure and seen defeat already, says Socialist Party (SP) deputy secretary general Fastone Mwale.
Speaking at a press briefing in Lusaka yesterday, Mwale said Zambians were tired of Hichilema and did not want him to go beyond next year.
“Don’t force him to remain in power because Zambians don’t want him anymore. Those forcing him are adding more pain to the people of Zambia,” he said.
Mwale said Hichilema and the United Party for National Development (UPND) should not be given another chance next year but be relegated to opposition status.
“Hichilema and the UPND must be relegated to their opposition status because they failed to manage the country when they were entrusted with power. They should go back where they belong. UPND belongs to the opposition,” he said.
Mwale said the UPND should not be given another mandate because they were not capable of ruling the country.
“How can you honestly give another chance to people who have failed to meet the demands of the Zambian people? How do you give back power to people who have dumped you in the dark? How can you give back power to people who have made you go to bed on an empty stomach? How do you give power to individuals who have stripped people of their human rights and freedoms? People are living regrettably and at the same time in deep poverty,” Mwale said.
He said the country had never experienced such harsh economic conditions as were the case under Hichilema.
Mwale said Zambians were angry with the UPND because it had subjected them to unprecedented load shedding and high cost of living.
SP national chairman for mobilisation Kelvin Kaunda said the country was in a revolutionary mode for the change of government.
Kaunda said the UPND had failed the country long before it even took over in 2021.
He said the UPND lacked humility.
“Zambia needs a new leadership that is action-oriented. UPND lacks humility, and Zambians are tired of them. The UPND and Hichilema are gone and have gone back into the opposition. Next year is all about liberation, revolution for the poor Zambians,” Kaunda said.
He said the change of government next year was possible and frustrated youths would show those in leadership their way out.
“…in 2026, the revolution will be spearheaded by the majority of youths whose livelihoods are in a mess due to a lack of jobs. These are frustrated young people, and all we can encourage them is to register as voters in en mass,” Kaunda said.
He encouraged the youths in the country to turn up in large numbers and register as voters to achieve the long-awaited change.
“The ballot paper will determine your future. Your vote will give a new direction for doing things in the country. You have to register as a voter and ensure you vote next year,” Kaunda said.
