By Isaac Zulu
Given Lubinda has said that the Patriotic Front lost power to the UPND in last month’s elections because they did not protect their votes properly.
And Lubinda has stated that there is no legal framework that compels political parties to disclose their source of funding.
Speaking when he featured on Radio Phoenix “Let the People Talk” programme on Friday, Lubinda, who is the PF vice president, claimed the party failed to rebut the UPND campaign message and, at the same time; they failed to effectively sell the PF manifesto.
“We lost because, probably, we did not sell our political message effectively. We did not effectively rebut the UPND’s campaign message, which was talking about job creation, reducing prices of fuel and ensuring that the Kwacha gains against major convertible currencies. That message made graduates and youths to vote for the UPND in large numbers,” Lubinda said during a radio programme monitored by Daily Revelation. “We lost because we failed to convince the people that the the UPND campaign promises were a fallacy. We lost, maybe, because we did not strategise enough. We lost because, maybe, we failed to manage elections enough – we failed to protect our votes and failed to protect our voters such that our voters were being beaten whilst in a queue on poll day. It is not that we became arrogant, we lost because we did not sell our manifesto effectively to the Zambian people.”
The former Justice Minister also said the PF is currently doing an introspection in readiness for re-branding, and therefore pleaded with members to stop jostling for positions in the party.
“All of us in the PF are hurting for losing power. And as such, we ought to sober up and accept the reality that we are now in the opposition. We ought to accept that all of us played a role this [loss]. This is the time to for us to hold together and take stock; as we prepare to go for an extra-ordinary convention. My hope is that we will hold a genuine, free and fair convention sooner than later,” Lubinda said. “Please, this is not the time for PF members to jostle for power. By doing so, you be dividing the party. You will be splitting the party and cause factions in the Patriotic Front. Mind you, the UPND might sponsor some individuals to destruct the Patriotic Front.”
And Lubinda accused UPND members of victimising Patriotic Front members.
“We have noticed with concern that only PF members are being summoned for questioning by the police. They are being questioned on how they acquired their property and having their vehicles grabbed. That is victimisation…clearly that is victimisation by the UPND regime,” Lubinda stated.
He further objected to the idea of constituting fast-track courts to prosecute corrupt related cases.
“Fast-track courts are only established for minor offences,” said Lubinda.
He said there is no legal framework that compels political parties to disclose their source of funding.
“When I was Justice Minister I presented a motion before Parliament that would have resulted in the enactment of legislation that would have been compelling all political parties to disclose their source of funding. And the first person to shoot that motion down was my friend, who is now the Home Affairs Minister, Jack Mwimbu. And who was his advisor? The now Justice Minister,” Lubinda explained. “Surprisingly, the people that shot down that motion are today the ones that want to compel the Patriotic Front to disclose its source of funding. Of all the 16 political parties that participated in the August 12 general elections, only the Patriotic Front is being asked to disclose the source of its funding. And they are forgetting that, currently, there’s no legal framework that compels political parties to disclose the source of their funding. As things stand, sorry, the PF cannot be compelled to disclose the source of its funding. I am sorry.”
Lubinda also bragged that the PF did well in infrastructure development across the country.
“The PF improved the road infrastructure, increased the number of FRA [Food Reserve Agency] storage facilities; leading to reduced wastage of maize. The Patriotic front constructed health posts across the country and upgraded some of the existing health centres such as Chileje, Matero and many others to a higher level hospitals,” said Lubinda.
He further expressed optimism that the Patriotic Front will bounce back to power in 20126 after re-branding.
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