Rain Disrupts Edgar Lungu’s Presidential Campaign The Patriotic Front kicked off its presidential campaigns after unveiling Chawama Member of Parliament Edgar Lungu as the presidential candidate in the forthcoming presidential elections at Kitwe’s Freedom Park on Saturday. However, Lungu ended his speech prematurely following a downpour that forced the relatively good turnout to disperse. Acting President Dr Guy Scott, as earlier revealed by Zambia Reports, shunned the national campaign launch which also was not attended by Miles Sampa who is claiming to be president of the party formed by his uncle Michael Sata. Lungu definitely had the crowd with him when he launched his presidential campaign but seemed to have nothing to tell them. While the parading of four of the 10 candidates that had filed their nomination for the PF presidency may have made for a good publicity, there was the notable absence Scott and Sampa. Lungu had said he would make a joint appearance with Scott at the Kitwe rally held at Freedom Park. The crowd definitely lived up to the PF reputation and it was not a surprise that Freedom Park was packed and painted with Lungu posters, chitenges and T-shirts. Lungu made a grand entry into Kitwe with his car being policed by two helicopters as he made his way to the rally venue. At the rally there was the bonus appearance of Given Lubinda, Wilbur Simuusa, Chishimba Kambwili and Mulenga Sata. People’s Party president Mike Mulongoti and former Labour Minister Newstead Zimba made an appearance at the rally. Lungu thanked the former opponents in the presidential race and said his role was to carry the vision of late President Michael Sata. Sporting Nigeria like outfit and a cowboy hat with his now trademark walking stick, Lungu introduced his wife to the gathering. Sensing a disconnect with the audience, Lungu was advised to switch to Bemba in his speech. Lungu will carry the PF ticket in the January 20 elections. However the campaign lunch was cut shot after the rains started when Lungu was reading his speech. Lungu asked for a vote from the Zambian people to continue on the legacy of President Michael Sata and bring new hope for the Zambian people. “We are here today to launch our national campaign that will continue building on the work done so far, but also create a new hopeful future for our people,” he said. Scott’s absence was not announced but visible. Just as the Parliamentarian was reading his speech the rain started and everyone started living the Public Rally forcing the Former PF Secretary General to prematurely conclude his speech. ABZ president Father Frank Bwalya also launched his reconciliation with the defence and justice minister by calling on Zambians to vote for Lungu. However, the residents who attended the rally walked away with doubts whether Edagr Lungu is the right man for the PF presidency or not. The residents questioned Lungu’s message saying it lacked the campaign sound. “How do you campaign with a speech, this man should be serious, we want a real message like Sata used to do,” one of the people who attended the rally observed. zambiareports/2014/12/07/rain-disrupts-edgar-lungus-presidential-campaign/
Posted on: Sun, 07 Dec 2014 04:28:06 +0000
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