UPND LUBWA CAMPAIGNER QUITS

THE opposition United Party for National Development (UPND) in Lubwa Ward yesterday afternoon suffered a setback when its deputy campaign manager James Banda resigned from the party to join the ruling Patriotic Front (PF) barely a day before today’s by-election.

Mr Banda said during a PF campaign rally at Riverrain Primary School he had decided to ditch the UPND and join the PF because the biggest opposition party had no future in Zambian politics.

He said the UPND leadership was not serious.

That was the reason he had decided

to join the PF which had demonstrated maturity and objectivity in its agenda to develop Zambia.

‘’I have decided to dump the UPND because it is not a serious party. I thought I should join the PF which has continued to demonstrate quality leadership.

‘’I am here to contribute to the growth of the PF and take it to greater heights. Let us work together in building and strengthening this party,’’ Mr Banda said.

Former member of the UPND national management council (NMC) Faith Mushongo, who recently dumped opposition party to join the PF, said she would work tirelessly to demolish the opposition party.

Ms Mushongo, who is also UPND

2016 losing candidate for Kwacha Constituency, said she had come back to the PF to contribute to the growth of the party.

‘’I have come back to the PF to work with you. Please, don’t park me, but embrace me and let us work together in building the PF which has demonstrated quality leadership,’’ she said.

Mr Banda and Ms Mushongo were received by Kwacha Member of Parliament Joe Malanji, Copperbelt Provincial chairman Nathan Chanda, Kamfinsa MP Elario Musonda, Kalulushi MP Kampamba Mulenga and other party officials.

Efforts to get a comment from UPND Copperbelt provincial information and publicity secretary Kennedy Kalunga failed as he was not picking up calls.