Maravi

HH invites Sakwiba to rejoin UPND

HH invites Sakwiba to rejoin UPND
By Lambwe Kachali
Wednesday June 18, 2008 [04:00]

OPPOSITION UPND president Hakainde Hichilema has invited United Liberal party (ULP) leader Sakwiba Sikota to rejoin UPND in the spirit of national unity and development. And Hichilema said defence minister George Mpombo and information minister Mike Mulongoti were hired political mercenaries.

During a press conference yesterday, Hichilema said the rate at which ULP members were deserting the party to join UPND was enough for Sikota to understand that his party had no future.

Hichilema said he had no grudge against Sikota and it was important that he joined his original party and moved the country forward.

He said he would not stop inviting Sikota to UPND because he was a formidable politician who could help develop the country now and after the party formed government in 2011.

"This is not the first time I have invited my brother Sikota. I have done so before but I always realise that in the spirit of brotherhood, we should continue to invite him so that we can work together. He should come to his original party. The issue of hiding behind the scenes is over. Honourable Sikota should know that UPND is his party, his original party and we want to work with him as before," Hichilema said.

He said when he travelled to Western Province last week, he was gripped by the sufferings of the people and that made him realise that there was no time for squabbles.
Hichilema said there was need for politicians to unite in order to turn their promises into reality and that UPND's invitation was not for Sikota alone but every Zambian that believed in development.

But when contacted, Sikota declined to comment on the matter. nd Hichilema described Mpombo and Mulongoti's reactions to his statement that the reconciliation between President Levy Mwanawasa and Patriotic Front (PF) president Michael Sata's reconciliation was circumstantial as professional noise making. He said Mpombo should concentrate on finding solutions to the problems affecting the country.

"We will not be dragged into further debate over this issue which we consider to be dead issue. The Mwanawasa and Sata issue is dead. Mr Sata had simply reconciled with his former party, MMD and we wish him well as he rejoins the MMD," said Hichilema.

Labels: GEORGE MPOMBO, HAKAINDE HICHILEMA, SAKWIBA SIKOTA, ULP, UPND

posted by MrK @ 3:45 AM