Maravi

PF/UPND pact is a revolution says Hichilema

PF/UPND pact is a revolution says Hichilema
Written by George Chellah
Monday, June 22, 2009 4:10:06 PM

UPND leader Hakainde Hichilema has described the PF/UPND pact as a revolution, saying walking out of it is suicidal. And Hichilema said according to the current public opinion countrywide, Zambians want an early election.

During the newsmakers forum organized by the Press Freedom Committee (PFC) of The Post at Hotel Intercontinental last Sunday, Hichilema said walking out of the pact was not even an alternative to contemplate.

"The issues of guarantees reside in the people, the people asked for a pact. Walking out of the pact is suicidal. It's for the people, it's not for Hakainde or Sata. And I don't think there is a price you can put on Michael Sata and this fellow talking to you to be bought by MMD. I mean total commitment. The guarantee is that UPND and PF are institutions," Hichilema said.

"The issue is will it be easy? But walking out is not the alternative, to go where? That is not even an alternative to contemplate, that is not the option."

He said the pact was a revolution for everybody.

"We want a disciplined youth so that when we go to battle we can win the war. Let's sacrifice, let's volunteer," he said.

Hichilema said the wind of change had blown sufficiently except for those without ears to hear. He said there was no going back on the pact.

"Let me tell you something sexy, not what you are thinking about," Hichilema said as the crowd shouted "Dora! Dora!" "This pact is not about Bemba or Tonga. This pact is to bring about the third liberation, to bring about economic and social independence to this country."

He said the pact wanted to unite the country once more because currently the nation was polarized. He said the pact acknowledged that UPND and PF had some differences.

"Our challenge is to manage diversity, we want to focus on strengths of both parties. We have done what everybody did not want us to do especially MMD," he said.

Hichilema said the pact was sustainable because both parties agreed that the country was bigger than the leaders of the two parties.

"We comprehend that we truly need each other. We understand the unity of purpose. Ours are grassroot organizations not like nashalaneka [I am left alone] parties. We are talking about grassroot parties not husband and wife political parties. We are talking about political parties that are mass-based," Hichilema said.

"I have heard many comments coming from the MMD saying that we formed the pact to get rid of MMD. MMD is getting rid of themselves. The way they are conducting themselves they don't need Hakainde or Sata to get rid of them."

He said the MMD had always been a minority in elections compared to the combined opposition votes. He said the timing would also make the pact successful.

"The pact is going to succeed because we orchestrated it away from an election. So the timing is correct. This pact is on the platform of the goodwill of the people of Zambia," Hichilema said.

He said the pact would provide a better Cabinet and that it was a historical and logical phenomenon.

"Some of the people in Cabinet cannot even qualify to be in my village cabinet. The pact has presented a genuine and logical progression," Hichilema said.

On the presidential candidate for the pact, Hichilema said there was need to first let people from both parties appreciate each other.

"The wheel is beginning to accelerate, people want each other. Today you are listening to two in one, which is tremendous achievement. We are moving faster and there will be one candidate I can assure you that. By that time you will be saying this is the one who will beat the one you know already. I don't understand. How can Rupiah Banda be the best?" Hichilema asked. "The issue of the president will be smooth and I think it will be correct. We are doing it in a proper way. Advise us properly because some want to advise us wrongly. We want to say this time around mwachepa [you cannot match us]."

Hichilema said Zambians wanted an early election.

"When I said we need an early election someone said it's treason. I said take that interpretation of treason to your toilet. In 1991, KK gave up two years of his presidency to give MMD chance for an election. KK was considerate enough to accept public opinion and now public opinion is that we need an early election," Hichilema said.

"Think for a while, there is a World Bank meeting and there is [US President] Barack Obama sitting with [Tanzania President] Jakaya Kikwete and [Botswana President] General [Ian] Khama. Where will you place your own President?"

Hichilema warned the MMD against threatening violence.

"The PF/UPND pact control the country from Livingstone to Chililabombwe. If we decided to react the way MMD reacts they will not even leave their houses. But we will not unleash our cadres on them. We will wait for the elections so that they exit nicely. We control the geography of this country," Hichilema said. "Since we called him Mr Holiday is forever he has missed the SADC meeting in South Africa, he has sent [Vice-President] George Kunda so we are ruling from outside."

He wondered why President Banda protected education minister Dora Siliya.

"That is what I call vested interest or some special relationship. You can call it whatever you want," Hichilema said as the crowd shouted again Dora! Dora! "Especially when you are President of Zambia. You are not President of Dora but President of Zambia. Dora must resign again to retain her morals and sanity. The government had become Banda and sons."

And PF spokesperson Given Lubinda said the pact was not in a hurry to merge.

"Have we talked about merging? Certainly. The governing council looked at all possibilities and we said we are not in a hurry. We want to work together on important national issues as two autonomous parties," said Lubinda.

"We also believe in organic development of organizations such as this pact. Mr Sata was in Mpika and HH was in Livingstone but they issued a same statement the same day. The chemistry is beginning to fall in place. We shall forge ahead as two autonomous political parties."

Labels: HAKAINDE HICHILEMA, PF, UPND

posted by MrK @ 3:10 PM