20 members of the opposition Citizen’s First Party have defected to the ruling United Party for National Development (UPND) contributing to the growth of the party in the district and the entire nation.
And the ruling party has given a thunderous welcome to the new members urging them to work in harmony with other members.
The new members defected yesterday during a UPND campaign meeting held in Mahobe Ward.
The defectors cited various reasons for their decision to join the ruling party,among them infrastructure development and the ruling party’s good policies and programmes.
And speaking on behalf of other defectors, Body M’hango said the increase in the Constituency Development Fund (CDF) from 1.6 million kwacha to 40 million kwacha per constituency demonstrates the government’s commitment to development.
Mr M’hango said the Secondary School and skills bursary under CDF component is the first of its kind in the country which has also trickled down to communities such as Mahobe.
Mr M’hango further cited the introduction of free education law as a major milestone achieved by the UPND administration.
“Recruitment of thousands of teachers and health workers is another remarkable achievement among many others,” he said.
The defectors have since pledged to fully support the ruling party and contribute to national development efforts by participating in party matters.
They also expressed confidence that President Hakainde Hichilema will secure a landslide victory in the Forthcoming elections in August this year.
Meanwhile, UPND Mafinga South Constituency parliamentary candidate, Robert Chabinga, has urged party members to intensify the recruitment of new members as the country approaches the general elections in August this year.
Mr Chabinga described the defection as a clear indication that the UPND continues to gain support and confidence from the public.
“We are ready to work together with the defectors in promoting the party’s agenda in the district and secure victory in the August polls,” Mr Chabinga said.
He said the district is no longer a stronghold of the opposition.
“This is a clear indicator that UPND is taking the district and nation at large in the right direction,” he said.
