Don’t become complacent, PF warned

THE loss of the Lusinde ward by election in Petauke district is a big blow to the ruling party, Patriotic Front (PF) founder member Yosi Miti has said.

And Mr Miti said the ruling party should not be taken away with Mangango victory because it does not determine its popularity in the area.

Mr Miti said in a statement yesterday, it is regrettable for the ruling party to lose a by-election in its stronghold.

Mr Miti said the loss of the byelection shows that the people who were entrusted to manage the campaigns were not fit to do so.

“How can we lose a by election in our own bedroom, this is really worrying because we cannot allow an opposition to enter our territory,” Mr Miti said.

Meanwhile Mr Miti said winning a Mangango by-election should never make the party become complacent, thinking all is well. Mr Miti said winning the recent by election in Western Province could be a false litmus test because it had happened before in 2014.

He said if the party would not strengthen its grass roots in the area, the situation will be the same like what happened in 2016 general elections.

“We won the by-election in 2014 during late President Sata’s regime. But when we went for a general elections in 2021 we lost the seat to the opposition. So there is need to work hard especially in areas where the opposition is still enjoying popularity,” Mr Miti said. Mr Miti has also suggested that the top leadership should in 2016 do away people who were entrusted with the responsibility of being in the campaign team because they almost led the party into a defeat.