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13 opposition parties endorse Zambian leader's candidature

Xinhua, April 19, 2016 Adjust font size:

Thirteen opposition political parties in Zambia on Monday endorsed the candidature of incumbent President Edgar Lungu in this year's general elections.

Lungu, who became Zambia's sixth president after winning last year's presidential election necessitated by the death of President Michael Sata in 2014, is seeking re-election on the ruling party, the Patriotic Front (PF), ticket in the August 11 general elections.

The 13 opposition political parties have since formed an alliance, the National Opposition Alliance, to support Lungu's candidature.

Edwin Sakala, the alliance's chairperson told reporters during a press briefing that the opposition parties have come together to mobilize and campaign for the Lungu's re-election so that he continues with the developmental projects being rolled out by the current government.

The opposition leader has since condemned the hate speech being practiced by some politicians ahead of the elections, adding that no leader should think they could get into power through lies.

He said the individual parties will participate in parliamentary and local government elections but only back Lungu's candidature for presidency.

Davies Chama, the secretary general of the ruling party welcomed the endorsement of opposition parties, saying it was evidence that Zambians still had confidence in Lungu. Endit