Thursday, March 28, 2024

HH U-Turns on Prayer and Fasting, urges UPND Members to turn up in numbers

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UPND president Hakainde Hichilema leaves the City Library Polling Centre in Lusaka
File:UPND president Hakainde Hichilema

UPND leader Hakainde Hichilema has called on his party members to turn up in numbers for tomorrow’s national day of prayers, fasting and reconciliation. Mr Hichilema has acknowledged the strength of prayer and unity of purpose during trying moments.

Mr Hichilema said that he will lead UPND members in participating in the national event called by President Edgar Lungu. Mr Hichilema said this in Lusaka through UPND Deputy Spokesperson Cornelius Mweetwa.

Earlier this month, UPND gave Government four conditions to meet before the party members could attend the much talked about national day of prayer and fasting scheduled for October 18th, 2015.

UPND Special Assistant to the President Edward Mumbi told QFM News in an interview that the party had refused to go for the program but that they wanted the PF Government to address certain issues before showing up at the program.

Mr. Mumbi said at the time that it was important that the government clearly indicates how the lives of the people would be safeguarded during that event considering that there had been indiscriminate use of firearms by PF cadres. Mr Mumbi said that believed that the life of the UPND Leader and other people maybe in danger if this issue is not carefully addressed.

Mr Mumbi said that the other conditions that the government should meet was to tell the nation the way forward concerning the constitution making process which he said there was no clear roadmap in coming up with the new supreme law of the land.

Mr Mumbi also said that other issues that needed to be addressed was the violence and insulting opposition of leaders by PF cadres.
Mr. Mumbi has emphasized that the PF have been mocking the people of Zambia for a long period of time now and there was no need of sitting with them.

He quoted Psalms 1:1 at the time which says “Blessed is the one who does not walk in step with the wicked or stand in the way that sinners take or sit in the company of mockers”, saying it is difficult for the party to associate with the PF because of they have mocked Zambians.

Mr. Mumbi said that if the above conditions were met, then party members will not have difficulties to be part of the proceedings.

It is not clear if the above conditions were met by the PF Government.

101 COMMENTS

  1. Zambians know very well that HH is not consistence with his statements that is why they can’t entrust him with power. He always U-turns on most of his statements. Leadership is about consistence.

    • As well he should. Mr Edgar Chagwa Lungu is the president of Zambia not HH. Am just LMAO to all the HH supporters who where talking out of their a$$es by supporting their leader on his decision to put forward conditions and demands before attending. Your leader just shoved his conditions up his a$$! Now bow down mitches!

    • Excellent Mr President. This is one of the best and wise decisions you have undertaken. You have pre-empted the poor finishers (pf) missiles they had in in-store for you had you not attended and I bet they are hugely disappointed that you are attending. Had you not, these mad butch of vision-less kabovas would have made it a campaign weapon point at every corner of rallies held country wide in the forth coming campaigns. Well done Mr president, its HH:3 PF:0. Good starategy, bikeni bolla pashi ba PF, we know your game, so tuchili tuleteya, its man to man marking until 2016 finale……

    • epic fail by this man…simply swallowing his words, Zambia needs a new breed of leaders not these people in power and in opposition…we need conscious people to take and awaken our people like Lumumba and Sankara!

    • Lusaka Times should stop writing news stories without naming the reporters or authors of the story so we can hold them accountable. Why not reproduce the entire press statement so we can read the content and make up our own mind? HH has consistently said he prays everyday and will even be praying on the day of prayer as usual. There has been no purported U-turn.

    • @Bobo from Buyantashi ba bobo please judge the man with more serious traits than these silly and very trivial matters that both the PF and UPND seem to espouse! Not that MMD are any wiser! This country really need more serious traits In leaders than the current crop seems to exert! Stop it ba mwankole for God’s sake! Please lets not give ammunition to these children. Even a man of my highest respect ba General, same all same all!

    • ZEEZEMBA WHATEVER, (“…This is one of the best and wise decisions you have undertaken.,,”), HH HASN’T MADE A DECISION. HH HAS U-TURNED. OR HH HAS SWALLOWED HIS OWN VOMIT (in other words). THIS IS BECAUSE EVERY WELL MEANING ZAMBIAN WHO IS A CHRISTIAN OR NOT WILL TURN UP FOR THIS MOMENT, INCLUDING UPND MEMBERS WHOM HE INSTRUCTED NOT TO TURN UP FOR THIS CRUSADE. FOR ME, IF HH IS CLEVER ENOUGH THIS IS THE MOMENT HE SHOULD HAVE USED TO IDENTIFY WITH THE REST OF ZAMBIANS, BRUSH UP ON HIS EVERLASTING ELECTION-LOSING BITTERNESS AND RECONCILE WITH THE REST OF ZAMBIA. HE BLEW UP HIS CHANCES. NOW, ANY PRETENSE WILL BE SEEN THROUGH.

    • #Peter-why are you so arm twisting imwe ba PF? What do you want the man to do kanshi, he says he won’t attend, you jubilant, singing he is a freemason, he says ok I have gotten people’s views and listened to God’s voice, will attend, ati away he shouldn’t have, he is a let down. The bottom matter is PF wanted to make a political milestone of him not attending and to me he has made a wise decision. Indeed the damage was done when he initially came out with an earlier statement but I think the degree of damage would not be comparable to what it would have been had he not reversed his earlier stance.

    • Too much superstitions in Zambia. While other countries are focused on ensuring quality of life for their citizens, Zambia is distracted by superstitions.

  2. Quote from LP Mwanawasa; “I would rather be right rather than be consistent (and be wrong)”. I this applies to every reasonable human being….!!

  3. Now let’s hear what the h*****s who were supporting hh when he said no to prayers. We have always told you clowns that your god is a headless chicken. Let’s hear if you are also inconsistent like hh. A level headed upnd supporter should condemn hh for u turning or back tracking on his earlier stance. Typical of under five. Too late cos the first cut is the deepest

  4. Good move HH. Certain sections of society wanted to make political capital out of this and are disappointed that you will participate.

  5. Comment:What happens to bloggers who were supporting U5 not to participate ?have they also made a U-turn?kuti wa seka,we always tell u that,you r still U5 in politics.

  6. Good move , but it looks llike it has been forced onto HH by the UPND leadership led by the wise Cornelius Mweetwa

  7. HE HAS JUST BEEN FORCED HIM WILL ATTEND DEVILS NIT.U DO NOT U TURN IN GOD ‘S WORK LIKE A PROSTITUTE WHO WAS NOT PAID LIKE THAT U NEED TO REPENT IN PUBLIC. THESE ARE NOT POLITICS BUT GOD AT WORK.

    • Too much superstitions in Zambia. While other countries are focused on ensuring quality of life for their citizens, Zambia is distracted by superstitions.

    • Too much superstitions in Zambia. While other countries are focused on ensuring quality of life for their citizens, Zambia is distracted by superstitions.

    • Too much superstitions in Zambia. While other countries are focused on ensuring quality of life for their citizens, Zambia is distracted by superstitions.

    • Too much superstitions in Zambia. While other countries are focused on ensuring quality of life for their citizens, Zambia is distracted by superstitions.

  8. Comment:
    There is no need to continue politicizing this noble change of heart by HH. You vilified the man left right and centre for his earlier stance, u cod him a free mason, just like others said that he was at liberty to boycott the prayer and fasting program, he is also at liberty to reconsider his initial decision, this is a free world. Now that he has heeded advice from his advisers which is a true hallmark of good leadership, there you are again criticizing the man instead of cheering the move. Typical of cadres, they want to politicize good political decisions like this. U wud be the same chaps who wud not like it if HH reconciles with ECL because of yo obsession with HH and hatred for the tribe he hails from. Let’s stop being hypocritical, ECL means well but his supporters…

  9. Leadership I need is one that listens to people. If PF could also listen about their expenditure side of things, St least some of the problems we are facing could be done with

  10. This HH is really a quack , is it cos his gathering failed? What a leader and joker. After all the shit he talked and giving conditions.

    • You are right jj. First time you ‘ve said something sensible. Any level headed upnd supporter should condemn hh for u turning or back tracking on his earlier stance Typical of under five

  11. Its like people in Pf want more to reconcile with HH/UPND than any other person in opposition,others opposition members have questioned the prayer day & called it politically motivated, but its HH who has been criticised the most, but why? Its good that HH has decided to attend. But God searches the hearts of prople who call on him.And i hope these prayers were called in good faith.But listening to comments from PF officials like Amos Chanda , i can only say that God have mercy on the nation.

  12. PRODIGAL SON, have mercy on him.
    In bemba they say , Pansaka tapabula ciwele wele.
    Even pali ba Politician, ici wele wele chamonekela.

  13. Careful with hollow political postures because God is no respecter of persons. Note that, if the people do not praise Him, he would raise up stones to do so. Forget not that the Lord made all things. Outside Of Him, nothing was made, but that everything came into being through Him. The Scripture attests most literally, emphatically, and is absolute that no one other than God created all things and that He created all things through His Son whom was with Him in the beginning.
    In every nation he that feareth him, repents and worketh righteousness, is accepted with him.

    In the beginning God and not political ambitions. Lets go before the face of God and seek a restoration of our lives and the land of Zambia.

  14. Need a say anything? No, simply refer to my earlier comments and confirm every word as you read comments of UPND cadres. Enjoy your read!

  15. The damage has already been done, he doesn’t mean it but he is scared because politically he is dead. Now the Zambians know who the true HH is. You can’t be forced to thank your creator and later on give conditions and terms.
    This is HH for you. Mr Sata knew exactly what he was doing when he called him Under 5!
    HH is a liar and will forever be a liar. If it’s in the other world HH should have been labelled as having committed blasphemy.

  16. Lelo Lelo Unamoni Unasauki. Unatutiyishi Nsoni Sata~u Have Just Finished Yourself. Let Another Person Stand In 2016.DON T DO OR SAY ANYTHING BEFORE PLANNING. HH ,CHIBWI NO PLAN, ATI ECONOMIST WITH A LOOSE MOUTH LIKE THAT.

  17. For the first time he has read the mood of the people, it is so thick that you can cut it with a knife. The positive response from Zambians in favour of Lungu has been so overwhelming that UPND would be badly exposed if they did not attend, it would be like a referendum on their popularity.
    But did HH consult his leadership to protect them from embarrassment? Just yesterday we had Hon Jack Mwiimbu exposing himself in the parliament of Zambia, boasting about his right not to attend and boastfully lecturing us on Lungu’s pension entitlement, essentially exposing his ignorance because Lungu would be entitled after serving another five years 2016 to 2021, which Jack’s boss HH has just confirmed. I can imagine the shame on Jack’s face tonight after the latest u turn by his boss. I am sure…

  18. We don’t have power in Kabangwe since 7 in the morning and it’s now to 20. The new minister of Energy, please assist as we would like to prepare for the national day of prayer. As usual no word from Zesco.

  19. If you notice it’s not him who has actually announced the U-turn it’s his deputy spokesman. It would have carried much wait if it was him to do the announcement to his masters he will say it’s not him who announced the U-turn. This guy is a devils worshipper

    • Too much superstitions in Zambia. While other countries are focused on ensuring quality of life for their citizens, Zambia is distracted by superstitions.

    • Too much superstitions in Zambia. While other countries are focused on ensuring quality of life for their citizens Zambia is distracted by superstitions

  20. Too late the hero, people already know who the real devil is. Who is he fooling? Zambians will never vote for people that do not believe in God like this candidate.

  21. Weird PF cronies,even immaterial issues & decisions are to be discussed at length!Come on PF morons,get a life & act responsibly!You are not God to judge who’s righteous & holy!In any case, you PF episode has done more damage than the devil himself!You hypocrites,cursed is your reign period in Zambia!If you were not cursed,Zambia was not going to face all these miseries including these prayers & fastings tomorrow!I distaste this PF reign with passion!Meet you in the field as we canvass for votes next year.

  22. These prayers are fraudulent and are based on the gullible of some Zambians which unfortunately are in the majority. Praying for what exactly…for the incompetent id10ts to stay in power? I am glad HH has changed his mind otherwise he would be called names and could have played well in the minds of id10ts! EL and his team are useless, wake up people!!

  23. UPND fanatics must just accept that they have eaten their own vomit rather issuing pointless rationalizations of their leader’s embarrassing U-turn on the national day of prayer.

  24. UPND fanatics must just accept that they have eaten their own vomit rather than issuing pointless rationalizations of their leader’s embarrassing U-turn on the national day of prayer.

  25. HH has made a huge political blunder with a heavy political price. The following are the errors and ramifications or implications U-turning on the subject;
    (1) He should ve first read the mood of the public on the subject,before making his stance known.
    (2) He has been sighting Poor leadership as a source of economic crisis,by attending the prayers,he is vicariously criticising himself. He is undoing everything he has been stressing recently in the media.
    (3) He was quoted regarding the prayers being ‘a mockery to God’,by attending,he has exhibited a high sense of indecision and volatility.
    (4) He has been accused of being a freemasonist, by politicising a Godly event,means it will be difficult for him to shrug off the tag of Satanism.

  26. Under five politics will make some one disband his ka tribal party after 2016.The writing is on the wall.Zambians want PF and Lungu.The Cartel and tribal party are just wasting their time.

  27. When Lord Palmerston, premier of England, was petitioned by the Scotch clergy to appoint a day of fasting and prayer to avert the chorela, he replied, ” Cleanse & disinfect your streets & houses, promote cleanliness & health among the poor, and see that they are plentifully supplied with good food & raiment , and employ right sanitary measures generally, and you will have no occasion to fast & pray. No will the Lord hear your prayers while these, His preventives, remain unheeded. Says Paul, “Let’s cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit( corruption,stealing, tribalism etc), perfecting holiness in the fear of God”( 2 Cor 7:1).

  28. When Lord Palmerston, premier of England, was petitioned by the Scotch clergy to appoint a day of fasting and prayer to avert the chorela, he replied, ” Cleanse & disinfect your streets & houses, promote cleanliness & health among the poor, and see that they are plentifully supplied with good food & raiment , and employ right sanitary measures generally, and you will have no occasion to fast & pray. No will the Lord hear your prayers while these, His preventives, remain unheeded. Says Paul, “Let’s cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit( corruption,stealing, tribalism etc), perfecting holiness in the fear of God”( 2 Cor 7:1)

  29. Some people want God to cleanse them from corruption, tribalism, hate speech and stealing by convening fast and prayer meetings. It’s your duty to cleanse yourself from these.

  30. Looking at some comments and the hatred against HH, I wonder what will come out of the mouths of these PF hypocrites tomorrow. They have led us into this economic mess and yet have no shame about anything. It is such a disgrace to have hypocrites congregate at the alter of prayer. Your conduct is worse of than that of Phariseea whom Jesua vehemently condemned. HH has decided to come to prayer and you seem hurt by that?! Hypocrites.

  31. Well done President HH your are truly focused. Let’s see if this is real reconciliation. Before the last January, 2015 Presidential elections we were told Edgar Lungu has called for reconciliation with Guy Scott and other players like Bob Sichinga, Whyber Simuusa, Dr. Kaseba etc but when he came into office he dropped and threw all Late Sata left even after promising to follow Sata’s vision and keep what late Sata left. Can we trust EL this time??? He has differed with nearly every chief in the country. He has failed to reconciled with Southern Province brothers whom his ministers have kept insulting. He has been blocking the media to cover all political players. Kambwili covers weak opposition parties on TV but deliberately blocks HH due to fear. PF must repent for blocking real news…

  32. I am disappointed that HH has joined thr band wagon. However, you cannot blame him. The poorer the country is, the more religious it’s people become. They expect divine providence because the govt is not delivering. HH needs the votes of Zambians and therefore has to dance to the tune. Unbelievable how Zambians embrace the power of prayer without making an effort to rectify the problems they face. This govt knows this hence calling for this day. The news has spread everywhere, the comments are a joy to read. Ba tiseka zoona!

  33. But hh is such a useless under 5 chap. Think 1st before action not action 1st then think later. So if yo fellow tribal tongas voted u as president (God 4bid), that’s how u wil govern by making decisions without thinking?? Nway the damage is already done on u. we know u r not a christian since u belong to the free manso….

  34. HH and UPND are jockers period . That’s why HH is under 5. The damage is already done Mr HH . Now Zambians know who truly you are- an anti-christian.

  35. And this is the chap who wants to rule us? So untrustworthy, inconsistent, no leadership experience in government (under 5), fearing prayer etc. The chap just wants to take advantage of the economic challenges as an opportunity 4 him to go to state house. Shame on u. We can’t b fooled. Every country can face such challenges. Ni Lungu tulefwaya

  36. My LORD and my GOD.
    May your name be praised in the highest.
    May you inhabit the TEHILAH of your children today.
    Cover this nation with your glory and expose EVERY CONTRARY Spirit of deception and mockery.
    HEAL OUR LAND!
    And protect our leaders and give them wisdom.
    In the Name of Jesus the Christ, I Pray.
    A M E N !

  37. Surely HH may not be perfect and the fact the he is not is government makes him less of a threat to us as citizens. Our worries should be centred on issues relating to the ruling class. Such as the election of Austin Liato as Kaoma District Chairperson. Just released from prison on medical grounds and today is fit to run a District. One questions whether he was really sick or not. I love ba Lungu as my President, but over dependence on RB may just see him follow RB’s trail of departure. To my fellow bloggers, let’s not be used as insulting machines against each other. RB himself was Zambia’s permanent representative at UN when he was 31. Mwaanga was the youngest diplomat at 21. What makes u think the best u can do at your age is to be used as an insulting machine?

  38. Nothing wrong with his move. We can only hope PF are not using God’s name in vain. It will be an insult to Zambians if ECL, which I believe he will, continues his usual extravaganza, spending government money like there’s no tomorrow. Prayer in this regard will only help us if the PF government changes its ways.
    Don’t even blame HH because the people who called for prayer were busy insulting him and his followers, some even saying UPND will “contaminate” the prayers and fasting. There’s definitely no spirit of oneness and reconciliation from PF.

  39. shows hh/upnd has no clear stance/policy on matters of religion, hence would ‘ve done better to remain silent in the first place. hh should consider sacking his advisers if he has any

  40. shows hh/upnd has no clear stance/policy on matters of religion, hence would ‘ve done better to remain silent in the first place. hh should consider sacking his advisers if he has any for this egregious blunder

  41. Icilema was simply hemmed, had no alternative, has, in fact, lost it by all that obstinacy, and uncompromising illogical hyperbole. Prayer is the only solution, you opposition leadership.

  42. Who is fooling who ? HH has fooled himself……lack of consistence on national issues.The adviser is it Syakalima or siansutwe should be cautioned for misleading Presido HH.Zambians do not trust people who behave like chameleons. If you are a christian,say yes we need to talk to God thru prayer as a nation.If you are a free mason,make your stand clear and if you are a traditionalist,say so unconditionally.

  43. Siakalima or is it siansutwe the advisor to HH should be disciplined by the party for misleading his boss.Zambians want people who are consistent and not those who behave like chameleons.If you are a christian,free mason,moslem or traditionalist,make your position very clear to the whole world.

    • You say Zambians want people who are consistent. A reminder to you on how many policies the Pf introduced and reversed, SI 33, Mining royalties of 20% and 8%. Think before you write.

  44. Yes,who is fooling who ? HH has fooled himself……lack of consistence on national issues.The advisor siansutwe should be cautioned for misleading Presido HH.Zambians do not trust people who behave like chameleons. If you are a christian,say yes we need to talk to God thru prayer as a nation.If you are a free mason,make your stand clear and if you are a traditionalist,say so unconditionally.

  45. According to Radio Phoenix news at 13 hours, the UPND has u-turned from the first u-tune and announced through Cornellius Mweetwa that the first u-turn urging their members to attend the National Day of Prayer was a mistake! Mweetwa has since apologized to all UPND members for misleading them! Boy what a circus!

  46. According to Radio Phoenix news at 13 hours, the UPND has u-turned from the first u-turn and announced through Cornellius Mweetwa that the first u-turn urging their members to attend the National Day of Prayer was a mistake! Mweetwa has since apologized to all UPND members for misleading them! Boy what a circus!

  47. HH and UPND should have seen this coming. We claim to be Christians here in Zambia though we may not be putting this in practice on a daily basis. But for HH and UPND to say they were not going to be part of prayer and reconciliation was playing into the hands of PF who have a point to prove that this is what we have been telling you Zambians that HH is a Satanist. This tag will continue to stick on HH with the way he opposed this day. More people will continue to be suspicious about what HH stands for on matters of religion and will think twice before giving him the vote. Some may understandably start to ask, “why give the vote to the devil?” This is Zambia for you. To go against people’s deep seated beliefs is like swimming against the tide until you are overcome by it the way it…

  48. At 50yrs of independence all we show for is forcing people to pray. What the country needs is working and looking for solutions.

    • Who says people cannot pray and work/find solutions at the same time? There are 7 days in a week, 6 days to work and the 7th day to spend in dedication to the Creator. Even the White House holds an International Prayer Breakfast every year.

  49. Good decision HH dont give these evil PF chaps a room to create the impression in the minds of most Zambians who are easily misled that you are not a christian.

  50. Even Leaders of great nations like USA revisit their decisions time and again. Obama had earlier said he would pull out troops from Iraq but we heard a few days ago that he had reversed his decision. There is nothing sinnister with HH advising his followers to turn out in numbers and pray. He is showing that he is a true compatriot not scared of what people will cook up.

  51. What Did Ecl Intend To Achieve, If Reconciliathon And Assuming H,h Is An Enemy For Reasons Only The Devil Knows. I Thought The Move Shud Excite All Of Us,

  52. True leadership from HH! Well done my President! If these headless chicken PF could listen to advice like you, we would not be in this predicament!

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