In 2019 HH As Opposition Leader Called For Early Elections, I Did Not Arrest Him- Edgar Lungu

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hFellow Country Men, Women and the Youth.

In 2019, Mr Hakainde Hichilema, (HH) as opposition leader called for early elections and justified his calls as “in all democracies, the people have the right and power to call for early elections if they deem fit and justifiable”. He was correct indeed because there is a precedence to this effect in this country.

In 1991, the Zambian economy was in serious distress and near total collapse. Life for all of us who were there at the time was unbearable.
The people compelled Dr Kenneth Kaunda, our founding president, to call for early elections in 1991 instead of 1993. In that early election, Fredrick Chiluba and his MMD emerged as winners, and Dr Kaunda lost that election and handed over power peacefully.

Last week, l equally made a similar call for early elections given the current economic crisis and increasing high cost of living that has continued to harshly bite our people throughout Mr Hakainde’s clear-cut misrule. Many Zambians and non alike feel this way and agree with me that, indeed, the UPND regime has failed to deliver on their promises and governing in non stop pilot mode.

Like KK in 1991, our president can agree to these calls and facilitate for early elections or like I did during my time in office, he can justify with undeniable cause why we all must wait for 2026 as per constitutional schedule. In a democracy, it is all about dialogue and exchange of views!

Yesterday, the British Prime Minister, Mr Rishi Sunak, got approval from the British Monarch to dissolve parliament. Consequently, the Prime Minister announced that early elections will be held in the coming month of July, on the 4th of July 2024.

From the aforementioned, it is evidently clear that the call for early elections is a normal political pattern not only in Zambia but also in the United Kingdom and other democratic jurisdictions.In all democracies, power belongs to the people, and those occupying public offices are mere caretakers.

My appeal to the Zambian government is to respect the people, practice political tolerance, uphold the constitution, and ensure that peace, law and order prevails across our sovereign motherland. This is crucially important for our national unity and collective prosperity.

Edgar Chagwa Lungu

Sixth President of Zambia,
Patriotic Front (PF) President

9 COMMENTS

  1. This is the good thing about video evidence.

    The conman has nowhere to hide now.

    Let me practice what he preaches.

    Vote wisely in 2026.

      • Zambezi provinces always vote wisely for HH.The rest of the provinces have left you! They will vote wisely for someone else!!
        The video clip of your man is red iPad loquitur. Early elections are within the supreme law of Zambia.

        • The video clip of your man is “res ipsa loquitur”. Early elections are within the supreme law of Zambia.

  2. I can’t imagine how many of you people will be disappointed in 2026 because all the wise men and women in Zambia will wisely vote for HH. That I can assure you.

  3. Having compared the videos of these two “trouble makers,” the first one who was in opposition was asking the other trouble maker to resign and he went on to justify that using the constitution. Fair enough.
    The second trouble maker has even made a more troubling statement. When you say someone will not reach 2026, and you are talking about a head of state, that is very careless and dangerous talk!
    People must be made to account for every careless word especially when some are known to be financiers of rebel activities in Rwanda!

    • Lets just deal with tge criminal cases this man committed and let the law and evidence point to the fact that are unimpeachable in the courts. Already his wife is facing the law.

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