THE ESSENCE OF COMPETITION IN POLITICS
WHILST
Dear Editor,
addressing the sea of people that thronged a campaign rally in Chilubi Constituency, President Edgar Lungu issued a directive to all PF MPs to stop harassing the aspiring candidates who are visiting their territories.
We feel compelled to break down the timely message from the President to more chewable chunks for eased political digestion so that it can be appreciated by his loyal followers and the nation at large.
The statement is welcome and it gives a democratic loving Zambian a point of reflection on the submissive approach the President continues to identify himself with.
The President has not exempted himself to be amenable to the supremacy of the people. This statement has also set the standards that at whatever level, the leaders must allow competition to flourish as it strengthens the democratic tenets. The President has been submissive and he firmly and avidly believes that sovereignty irrevocably rests with the people.
In his political journey at the helm of the Presidency, Mr Lungu has allowed the will of the people at all times to prevail. This is worth emulating and as our torch bearer, he has led the way we will pursue.
The President has shown his respect for both the PF Constitution and the Republican Constituency and his ability to do remain incontestable.
He has allowed the party leaders to rise to the ranks without any arbitrary hindrance save adherence to the provisions of the party constitution.
President Lungu has also allowed the ambitious politicians including his former allies to form political parties at their will and he has further allowed some to join existing parties.
This is unprecedented in the political history of our youthful democracy that political parties are formed nearly every month.
It can never be possible save for the enabling political space the President has facilitated under his reign.
This by contrast is not the same with the UPND president Hakainde Hichilema whose unlimited tenure at the helm of the presidency cannot be brought in question. To them democracy means imposing the same candidate who has been rejected five times consecutively by voters.
The words from President
Lungu cannot be any clearer, other than encouraging those who have trampled upon intra party from flourishing to allow democratic credentials to prevail over their rigid ideologues.
They show allow the electorate to have a fair chance to select the candidates that will effectively represent them. In fact, the opposition politicians need fresh political air at all levels within their hierarchy.