PF hypocrisy and UPND Blindness!
By Abigail Chilubanama
The country has witnessed some political “gymnastics” over the past few weeks. Let us look at the three political developments that have taken place in the recent past.
1. The Removal of Josephs Akafumba from his Post as Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Home Affairs and Internal Security.
President Hakainde Hichilema removal Joseph Akafumba, from his post as Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Home Affairs and Internal Security. He is waiting for redeployment, possibly into Foreign Service.
Interestingly, immediately after this development, the opposition was quick to celebrate, with some mocking Akafumba, suggesting that he had been used and dumped. Questions arise as to why the opposition could be celebrating his removal!
2. The Revoking of Mr. Garry Chilala Nkombo’s appointment as Minister in Charge of Local Government and Rural Development.
The opposition, particularly the Patriotic Front (PF), has expressed anger and concern over this decision. Why? The PF are sympathetic and appear worried. Food for thought!
3. Amos Chanda’s Decision to Join the UPND Media Team
A few days ago, Amos Chanda, who is the former President Edgar Lungu’s spokesperson, was seen on the high table with the UPND media team at a media briefing in Livingstone
Mr. Chanda also appeared on a Diamond TV breakfast show, where he openly stated that he was comfortable and not ashamed to be associated with UPND.
The PF are bitter with Amos Chanda’s move and are all over social media attacking him.
There are lessons we can learn from these developments.
(1) One would conclude that for the opposition to celebrate the exit of PS Akafumba, may mean there was something he was doing which favoured the UPND and President Hakainde Hichilema’s government and something that hurt the PF and the opposition as a whole.
It could be that PS Akafumba had touched on the “lifeblood” of the PF. The PF’s celebration of PS Akafumba’s removal from office could only mean Mr. Akafumba was a pain in the opposition party’s continued existence.
There is no way the opposition political party would celebrate the removal of someone they would have loved to remain in office.
It is for this reason that most UPND supporters have called on President Hakainde Hichilema to bring back PS Akafumba.
(2) It is equally interesting to note how the opposition political parties, in particular the PF, are sympathizing with Mr. Nkhombo following the revocation of his appointment. Their empathy towards the Mazabuka law maker could only mean he may have had an “intimate” political relationship, or it may be concluded that what he was doing was helpful to the opposition’s operations and existence. It is rather difficult to reconcile the opposition’s anger towards President Hichilema’s decision to revoke Mr. Nkombo’s appointment as Local Government and Rural Development Minister.
The PF and their opposition alliances appear so worried, unhappy, and are really commiserating (a word that Mr. Nkombo likes using when he is sympathetic to something).
Why would an opposition party get so worried when a senior government official is fired? Why are they defending him with so much anger on their faces. What is it that they were doing together, which has been thrown in disarray following his dismissal? Their expressed worry and anger on this development can point to one thing. The President was on point to have revoked Mr. Nkombo’s appointment!
(3) Amos Chanda’s move to associate himself with the UPND has really angered the PF. They are disturbed, thrown in disarray as though a tornado has hit them.
Why have they resorted to calling him all sorts of names? Why are they so unhappy with his personal decision to join hands with the UPND media team? One can only conclude that they are worried about what Amos Chanda will do to their continued existence. They fear that Amos Chanda will tell the whole world about their evil dealings while they were in power, particularly the criminal acts of their disposed leader.
It is clear that the PF knows exactly what Amos Chanda is capable of. They are now scared of the damage Amos Chanda will do their come-back efforts.
It would be advisable that the UPND should welcome and embrace Amos Chanda. He is a perfect fit and good media personality to work with.
