By Chinoyi Chipulu
Former Economic Front (EF) spokesperson Humphrey Kabwe says he failed to join the UPND alliance because the ruling party has failed to demonstrate morals and integrity.
And Kabwe said the UPND promised heaven but now they have brought hell and continue to blame the previous governments.
Recently, the opposition EF party joined the UPND Alliance, with a promise to help the current regime intensify its fight against corruption.
Party leader Wynter Kabimba announced the decision following what he called as an extensive debate by the central committee which he said voted in favour of the idea to join the alliance because it was commitment to fight corruption.
But Kabwe in an interview with Daily Revelation yesterday, said he could not join the alliance as he had nothing good to say about the ruling party looking at the way it had failed to deliver most promises to the Zambian people.
“Yes, the central committee had a meeting which I also attended, it was not Kabimba who made this decision alone, but the central committee. This decision came up because we thought no opposition party can win the elections single handedly. So we decided that we go into an alliance with another political party whether ruling or fellow opposition,” he said.
Kabwe said his conscious could not allow him to abandon the people of Zambia.
“I decided to stay away, especially being the national spokesperson, what things was I going to be talking about? Completely nothing. And the message we have been preaching to the Zambian people about this government, how are we going to go back to the Zambian people and tell them different things, it’s more like abandoning the people just like the way ruling people have abandoned the people,” he said.
Kabwe said people who heard the EF messages would think they were not practicing what they preached with the sudden turnaround.
“We had reasons why we went into an alliance with the PF in 2021 because we were told to do politics with the people we know, the people who are less evil. So are you telling me today the UPND are lesser evil? They said solutions when they were in opposition, and promised heaven now they have brought hell and continue to blame the previous governments. So with me and having learnt from comrade Kabimba on principle values, integrity and morals, I decided to follow that,” he said.
When asked if he felt disappointed that Kabimba who taught him values and principles joined the party they were against, Kabwe said he still had respect for Kabimba and had learned a lot from him.
“I don’t want to discuss my boss. Even if he has gone into an alliance, I don’t think he will abandon his stance, I hope the UPND will be ready to listen to him. And he did not make this decision alone. After we made deliberations, most speakers agreed that the economy is not good and us going to work with them could help change the status,” he said.
Kabwe said he resigned because the two alliance partners had different policies.
“The majority won the debate and decided we go into an alliance with the ruling party. But individually, I decided not to join the alliance. Having been a political party that has preached about morals. Others are hoping that joining the alliance comes with some benefits, but I feel whether it will be beneficial or not, it’s not right and my conscious could not allow me,” he said.
Kabwe resigned from his party yesterday citing his party’s lack of integrity and morals after joining the UPND alliance.
