
NATIONAL Democratic Focus (NDF) president Ben Mwila has said President Rupiah Banda has outperformed expectation with economic recovery prospects and national unity forming a larger portion of his legacy.
Mr Mwila said yesterday that President Banda’s staunch critics, Forum for Democracy and Development president Edith Nawakwi and Patriotic Front’s Michael Sata lack the understanding of how Government runs when they promise that they would provide development within 90 days of assuming power.
In an interview in Lusaka, Mr Mwila warned Zambians against falling prey to mock promises from the opposition in view of the development programmes that had been initiated by the Government.
“Even a house cannot be built in three days, they don’t understand Government,” Mr Mwila said.
He said President Banda had built a legacy of national unity, tolerance and humility with the backbone being the booming economy despite the global economic recession that saw countries and companies fall economically.
“The real legacy is the one which we are seeing now. There is no tension in the country and I wish President Banda could continue with his programmes,” he said.
Mr Mwila, who served as Defence minister under the leadership of second Republican president Frederick Chiluba, said his interaction with Government systems at a high level exposed him to knowledge about how Government runs.
He said he would like to be president of Zambia just like other opposition leaders except that his colleagues were exhibiting lack of maturity in their campaigns and criticisms.
[pullquote]Meanwhile, Mr Mwila has challenged Mr Sata to produce the degree which he claims to hold because a qualification is a source of pride if one has acquired one.[/pullquote]
The NDF leader alleged that presidency under the opposition leadership would be destructive and the unity the country was experiencing would be compromised because of lack of seriousness and signs of acrimony.
Meanwhile, Mr Mwila has challenged Mr Sata to produce the degree which he claims to hold because a qualification is a source of pride if one has acquired one.
He said Mr Sata should be proud of his academic qualifications by parading them each time people asked for them.
“That is why others profile themselves because they want to show how qualified they are. Why is he hiding his degree from stakeholders when it is supposed to be part of his profile?” Mr Mwila asked.
[Times of Zambia]