By Isaac Zulu
Political scientist Dr Alex Ng’oma has urged President Hakainde Hichilema and his predecessor Edgar Lungu should engage in true reconciliation for the sake of national unity.
In an interview, Dr Ng’oma said that President Hichilema and his predecessor should not perceive each other as enemies or competitors, but as statesmen who should provide guidance on various national issues.
“I will be consistent with what I feel about the existing relationship between the duo (President Hakainde Hichilema and former president Edgar Lungu) that they should not like each other, but they should work together in the interest of the nation,” Dr Ng’oma said. “This uncordial relationship between President Hakainde Hichilema and president Edgar Lungu should be avoided. And the two should engage each other in true reconciliation and for the benefit of the nation. They should work together in the interest of the nation, and the general populace.”
He said that the continued uncordial relationship that has continued to exist between the two “statesmen has been having some adverse effect on the need for UPND administration’s resolve to unite the country.”
And Dr Ng’oma said that former president Edgar Lungu has a justifiable reason to shun national events, saying the former Head of State is human who cannot attend scheduled public events when he is being insulted by those in administration.
“When they have been insulting and issuing derogatory statements against the former president, and they invite him to attend a national, do you think he can attend? If one insults him in the morning and they invite him in the evening, would think that he is going to accept such an invitation? So president Edgar Lungu is just telling the nation that he is human and has feelings. And as such, he would want to be treated with respect and dignity.”
