Opposition Political Party leaders have called on Zambians to remain united and peaceful during the period of mourning.
The opposition leaders told ZANIS in separate interviews that Zambians should embrace peace and unity as a sign of dignity for the late president.
The leaders include United Party for National Development (UPND) president Hakainde Hichilema, National Restoration Party (NAREP) leader Elias Chipimo and Former Movement for Multiparty Democracy (MMD) president Rupiah Banda.
Mr Hichilema said Zambians should be calm and peaceful during the funeral period and after burial in order to ensure development in the country.
He said President Sata did his best for Zambia hence the need to mourn him in peace, unity and dignity.
He condemned some members of the ruling party for engaging in power struggle at the time the whole country was mourning President Sata.
Mr Hichilema said the recent political fights before President Sata is put to rest were a sign of lack of dignity for him by the PF.
He said his party members and Zambians are mourning the president hence the need for all Zambians to be united and not engage in politics until the burial.
He has since hinted that he will contest the Presidential by elections but refused to talk about the campaign details until after the burial tomorrow.
Meanwhile, Mr Hichilema said Presidential by-elections could be avoided if the new constitution which provides for running mate is enacted.
Mr Hichilema said the running mate clause will ensure that the Vice President takes over the presidency up to the end of the term in case of a vacancy in the office of the president instead of going for a by election.
He said it is regrettable that President Michael Sata has died before concluding his term as Head of State saying the late president still had work to do.
He noted that the late President worked hard to form his party, the Patriotic Front adding that it was not easy to form a political party in an African set up.
And Former president Rupiah Banda said Zambia is known by the United Nations and the international community as a peaceful country.
Mr. Banda who regretted the loss of his successor encouraged all citizens to remain peaceful and avoid requesting for his return to politics saying such could be discussed after the burial.
Meanwhile, NAREP leader Elias Chipimo said President Sata connected well with people at various levels and knew the country intimately which made him a good servant of the people.
Mr Chipimo said Mr Sata will always be remembered for his desire to develop the country adding that he embarked on infrastructure development in all parts of the country.
The opposition leaders spoke to journalists shortly after attending an Interdenominational thanksgiving requiem Church service held by National Assembly of Zambia today for late President Michael Sata who died on 28th October 2014 in London.
Hakainde Hichilema Pliz address high levels of employment in the country the country when we usher you in office come January don’t start dining with Chinese and forget us. We are behind you .VIVA HH & UPND.
Telling lies against other people will not help you to stop someone whom God has appointed to Lead Zambia.The whole story about Edgar Lungu is fake.When Edgar left school he went straight to UNZA for his law degree.From UNZA he joined Ministry of Legal Affars(now Ministry of justice) in the dept of Legal Aid.You can ask Winter Kabimba , Prof Haasungule or Joe Chilaizya as some of the former school mates at UNZA.For his stint in the cadet training was an in-service training after working at Ministry of Legal affairs.He was not discharge because of the brown bottle-awe bane ubo bufi fititi.You ask the guy he was with during training as a cadet at Miltez in Kabwe;- You can ask the current Deputy Commander of Zambia Army.As for GBM the mother is Ndebele from Zimbabwe and does not qualify.
That is what leaders do ….. End of Chapter 50.
Kamuya mukashike, tulitendelwe nafyo ifyamalilo!
MARJORITY OF ZAMBIANS ARE IN TOTAL DARKNESS!
and you expect visitors to pay an arm and a leg for rent in cockroach infested half built structures you call apartments!!
So now the opposition leaders seems to be more mature?
@Nono…
Most genuine opposition party leaders have always exhibited maturity. Was Mr Sata not mature when he was in opposition??
If you cared to remember, the same opposition leaders supported Mr Sata when MMD and RB were withholding election results from some parts of Zambia and clinging to power. They (HH, Milupi, Nawakwi, Miyanda et al), despite losing, walked into Mulungushi International Conference Centre (thanks to MUVI TV — as your National Broadcaster, ZNBC.. was busy “entertaining” you with Dr. Jere’s music videos) and made a passionate appeal for hand over of power to PF. Could the late MCS and PF have done the same if they had lost? I doubt. Cause trouble they would have. We thank God that God allowed the experiment to take place. PF would have plunged Zambia into…
The most correct words spoken are from Chipimo , when he said ; Sata connect so well with all classes of zambians, indeed that is why they loved him, we would such a leader to be in state house , and carry on developmental projects , not stealing from the poor and selling companies to enrich himself , any one who aspire for that office ,to be very carefull
@Nshilimubemba……..you definitely are.
Anyway, we are not surprised. You always post the same comments. Chipimo is your tribesman. Yes, the late President connected well with all classes of PF members.
You have started your “Donchi ku beba” the truth lest the do not vote for your party. Poor villagers will believe your lies against the opposition especially that they will have no access to taxpayers’ money to reach the masses. We all know that the SALE OF PARASTATALS WAS A GOVERNMENT PROGRAMME in which the late MCS was a senior Minister. He just left when FTJ preferred Mwanawasa over him. You think we are that dull as you are. Of course villagers and uneducated urban youths are vulnerable to lies and cheap gifts. The opposition have a challenge to undo these lies at a grand…
@nshilimubemba. You are a BIG tribalist. Thats all you’ve to say about your fellow tribalist Chipimo. We know you are bemba. And bemba’s are the most tribalist in Zambia.
To support this, only bembas cant speak other tribes’ languages and many other tribes in Zambia can speak bemba.
Hate him or love him, HH is the only sane person and presidential material of all the available hopefuls. HH will rule Zambia.
Which Zambians are you advising? Or do you mean the PF cadres?
Interesting how Dr. Mumba and MMD are not quoted. Undermine them at your own peril. Let’s revisit the topic in March.
To @Nono and many PF blind followers, only HH and UPND are opposition. They have not hidden their hatred for tongas. To them opposition means enemy. They are clueless about the whole concept of democracy. Just recall how their rank and file vehemently opposed the enactment of a new constitution. Even Dr Scot had forgotten that the existing constitution barred him from standing. The citizenship clause is retrogressive in this century when the world has become a global village. Look at Obama; father was a full Kenyan (not even a resident of USA – he just went there to study) and today his son is a President of the most powerful country on earth!! Guy Scott’s parents even joined our freedom struggle. Both Scott and KK had foreign-born parents.
Sata was an evil man taken away at the right time before he could plunge this beautiful country in chaos. No tears to shed for the master of evil.
Point of correction Mr Chipimo… The late president Micheal Chilufya Sata embarked on infrastructure development NOT for the whole country but for the parts he liked (e.g. Muchinga, Northern). Areas he hated till he died like North Western Province have not witnessed any development at all. No roads, no hospitals, no new districts, no appointments to senior positions etc.
I challenge ministers of Information, Works and Supply and Local Government and Housing to provide evidence to prove me wrong.