Eleven thousand  members of the opposition Patriotic Front (PF) and  Party of National Unity and Progress  in Nalolo District of Western Province have defected to join the ruling United Party for National Development (UPND).                                                                                                                                                                  

The defectors, mostly members of the PF led by Nalolo PF District Executive members, were received at Muoyo Youth Resource Skills Centre by Western Province UPND Provincial Vice Chairperson, Austin Muneku.

Speaking on behalf of the defectors, PF Provincial Youth Vice Treasurer, Lubasi Ngombala said the UPND’s achievements in delivering on its campaign promises, such as free education and timely distribution of farming inputs, motivated their decision.

“Why should we keep opposing someone who has delivered on his campaign promises? We no longer pay school fees, farming inputs are delivered on time and they are enough for all of us, which is why some of us end up selling some,” Mr Ngombala said.

Another defector, Patriotic Front Nalolo District Chairlady, Akasitekelwa Mukiti, cited the UPND’s employment opportunities and empowerment of women through grants and loans as reasons for her defection.

“I have seen how women are benefiting from these grants and loans and the government has been encouraging us to form cooperatives so that we benefit as groups,” Ms Mukiti said.

UPND Provincial Vice Chairperson, Austin Muneku welcomed the new members, urging them to participate in party activities without hesitation. 

“Our party is growing and we are interested in getting everyone who feels that this party is the party of their choice. The new members are as good as the old ones,” Mr. Muneku said.

He attributed the defections to the UPND’s unprecedented development, constituency development fund (CDF) increment and free education policy.

Among the 11,000 defectors, 5,000 are from Nalolo East Bank, while 6,000 are from Nalolo West Bank.

UPND Nalolo District Secretary, Mannix Manyando has welcomed those joining the party, saying that the objective of the party is to unite as many Zambians as possible.

“We are happy that our friends joining the party have promised us that they are going to bring their friends who are in other districts,” Mr Manyando said.

The UPND Provincial Vice Chairperson who is on a tour of mobilising UPND members in Western province was accompanied by members of the Provincial Presidential Campaign  team.