Maravi

Sata advises HH to check his bitterness
By Allan Mulenga
Fri 28 June 2013, 14:01 CAT

PRESIDENT Michael Sata says Hakainde Hichilema is a desperate "loose cannon". And President Sata says he is eager to give the opposition a chance to test their popularity in 2016.

In a statement over UPND leader Hakainde Hichilema's assertions that the government plans to manipulate the draft constitution and sneak in a clause that would extend the presidential term to eight years, President Sata stated that Hichilema lacked political civility or basic decency and was resolved to harm any mature, rational and constructive discourse on matters affecting the country.

"These kinds of careless claims only proves that we are dealing with a desperate loose cannon who is constantly in denial and determined to display his fallacious notion, just to massage his ego," President Sata said in a statement issued by his special assistant for press and public relations, George Chellah.

President Sata stated that nobody within or outside government had ever contemplated or lobbied for such a retrogressive and selfish agenda.

"In fact, we are eager to give the opposition a chance to test their popularity in 2016. We have no doubt that the Zambian people will judge us on the basis of the unprecedented massive infrastructural and other developmental projects, which are being done in the interest and for the benefit of the Zambians," the President stated.

President Sata urged Hichilema to do a self-introspection and assess if his endless slander, pessimism and bitterness was adding value to the country's political dialogue.

On allegations that the government is inducing by-elections to have Parliament dominated by the ruling party, President Sata reiterated that if the opposition parties whose members of parliament were currently serving in government allowed their parliamentarians to contribute without intimidation, there would be no need for by-elections.

President Sata stated that in the spirit of inclusivity and co-existence, the PF administration would collaborate with whoever was prepared to contribute to the development of the country to stimulate social and economic growth.

President Sata added: "Every responsible government world-over will make sure that it consolidates itself to be in a position to deliver on the promises that got it elected into office, especially if faced with injudicious and unpatriotic leaders of the opposition who are recklessly resolved to undermine government's ability to deliver services to the people."

President Sata reaffirmed his personal commitment to deepening democracy, equality and respect for the will of the Zambian people.
Recently, Hichilema claimed that President Sata wanted to deliberately delay the constitution-making process to put a clause that would extend his stay in the office from five to eight years.

Hichilema said President Sata and his government were scared of the opposition ahead of 2016 elections.

Labels: HAKAINDE HICHILEMA, MICHAEL SATA

posted by MrK @ 4:32 PM