PF toast ConCourt victory

PATRIOTIC Front supporters yesterday celebrated the Constitutional Court's declaration of President Edger Lungu's eligibility in style.

The supporters, who were clad in PF regalia, stormed the Lusaka High Court traffic circle as early as 08: 00 hours to wait for the landmark judgement.

Security was tight as riot police kept vigil while the crowd continued to increase. As Constitutional Court president Justice Hilda Chibomba read the bulky judgement, a celebratory mood had already gripped the court's external premises.

However a peaceful atmosphere reigned supreme as the jubilant supporters just sang and danced.

After pronouncement of the judgement, the crowd burst into euphoria when PF Secretary General Davis Mwila, his deputy Mumbi Phiri, and other party leaders went to greet them. The PF leaders and supporters then drove off at high speed to the party’s secretariat for more celebrations.

And Mr Mwila says opposition parties should respect the decision of the Constitutional Court regarding President Lungu's legibility to contest the 2021 general elections .

Mr Mwila however said the debate on the eligibility has since been put to rest with the judgement delivered by the court. Speaking when he addressed a multitude of PF supporters at the party secretariat yesterday, Mr Mwila said PF Central Committee has already made a decision to go to the 2021 election with President Lungu as their candidate.

Mr Mwila stated that the party would go to the general convention in 2020 and all party members that wanted to challenge him were free to do so.

Hesaid the PF does not expect to see confusion coming from dissatisfied opposition parties to bring confusion when the PF field President Lungu in 2021.

He noted that there were people who had fallen from grace as far as the ruling party was concerned and would want to team up with the opposition to cause problems in view of the court allowing President Lungu to contest the 2021 elections.

He warned that the party would not tolerate its members that would want to take advantage of the judgement to cause confusion in the party.

Mr Mwila said President Lungu was ready to work for the people of Zambia by taking development in all parts of the country.

President Lungu has urged the party to continue with the spirit of unity for the betterment of the nation.

" Members who feel they are popular are free to challenge President Lungu at the 2020 convention provided they qualify. I am therefore urging members to remain loyal and continue working hard so that the 2021 elections would be a walk over,” said Mr Mwila.