National Congress Party (NCP) President, Peter Chanda has announced his party’s endorsement of President Hakainde Hichilema and the United Party for National Development (UPND) ahead of the August 13 general elections.
Speaking to journalists in Lusaka today, Mr Chanda said the decision followed extensive consultations with party members, supporters, well-wishers and ordinary citizens, as well as a period of reflection and prayer.
He explained that the NCP leadership had carefully assessed the political environment and reviewed all the manifestos of competing political parties before arriving at its decision.
“Some are good and promising, others are not and do not give hope,” Mr Chanda said.
Mr Chanda said his party had consistently called for opposition unity under the NCP banner but had instead observed growing mistrust, personal ambitions and divisions among opposition players.
He said the high number of presidential aspirants emerging from the same political grouping reflected the challenges facing opposition cooperation.
Mr Chanda further stated that UPND has made progress in several areas and has continued to implement policies that align with the NCP’s values.
He cited youth and women’s representation, decentralisation and empowerment programmes as areas of common ground between the two parties.
“Although they have not done 100 percent as expected, the UPND administration has implemented a lot of progressive programmes that have benefited the nation,” he said.
Mr Chanda said the NCP believed policy consistency was important for national development and had therefore resolved to support President Hichilema’s candidature.
He added that the party would continue fielding candidates in areas where it enjoys strong support and called for peaceful campaigns and a credible electoral process.
upnd with a challenger I agree
You can just describe this lightweight as ‘kulubana’. Did they reinstate him as president of his dead party. The other day I also saw another feather weight oppostion leader of a non existent political party aligning herself with the ruling party being paraded on TV to disparage the opposition, regretably ZNBC TV using our tax payers money gave her a lot of airtime to blow her hollow hot air
No impact, its like getting 5 man Nevers party, 5 man Charles party, 5 man Peters party, 5 man Felixs party, 2 man Milupi party, 3 man Judith party and calling them alliances. These cannot even raise 1000 supporters for nominations. Zero impact from this endorsement. Not sure why politicians in Zambia overate themselves