PF fallen into opposition trap - Canisius
By NATION REPOTER THE PF Government has fallen into a trap of the opposition political parties which have nothing to offer but are presently “blowing a lot of smoke,” former UPND vice president for politics Canisius Banda has charged.
Dr Banda said this strategy was intended to put the ruling party on the defensive.
Dr Banda said issues such as the nationality of President Edgar Lungu, impeachment motion, and corruption allegations which had characterised the Zambian cyber space and mainstream media portrayals were all aimed at forcing the ruling party play to the opposition gallery.
He said unfortunately, the ruling party had fallen prey to such maneuvers and was acting with anger.
He said Fresher Siwale was a clear case of the ruling party chasing after the smoke by arresting him over unsubstantiated allegations.
This he said, had made Mr Siwale rise from political ashes to stardom overnight thereby making the opposition happy.
“For example, much of the publicity about the questioning of the nationality of the Republican President and his ill-fated impeachment is coming from the PF itself, much to the satisfaction of the opposition.
Dr Banda said instead of dwelling much on trivialities from the opposition, it was important for President Lungu to focus on matters of national interest.
“In the face of an austerity budget which is currently in place, it is important for him to forestall social discontent and unrest that will inevitably arise by putting in place appropriate safeguards. “At the moment the economy is biting and disillusionment amongst citizens is on the rise.
High interest rates continue to keep citizens away from the entrepreneurial field and subsequently from the economy as investment credit remains inaccessible to them.
He said as the export quota of energy increases in Zambia, the cost of domestic electricity needs to fall as a required poverty-alleviation cushion for citizens.
“My advice to the opposition is that they must desist from complaining abroad and to foreigners about what they see as poor governance in Zambia,” he said.