CITIZENS First president Harry Kalaba says he lost the 2021 general elections because his party did not have structures.

Speaking when he met party leaders in Solwezi, Saturday, Kalaba told them to mobilise more people to take up party positions ahead of their national conference slated for September.

“We are going to have a national conference in September. I don’t want only eight people to come from North Western Province. We want when you come, every position is full. How many are we supposed to be at district level? 48. At constituency level? 48. At Province level? 48. So, you should be 48. We can’t come out number one when you are not 48, 48. We will lose. Give people positions. What I have seen here in North Western Province is that the people here have seen the problems they are going through. The problems that you are going through here in North Western Province should help you to chase these liars who are there [in power]. But you can’t chase them if you are only six,” he said.

“We shouldn’t be joking about these things. You saw how I lost in 2021. It was because of structures. We did not have. And some of you, you were even feeling shy to show that you were with Harry Kalaba. When you go to Kyawama market, they ask you what party you support, you tell them to tell you theirs first. Then, is the simcard okay? That’s an illness. You need to say that I am with Harry Kalaba in Citizens First, you even wear a chitenge. Now, you walk with fear, when they ask what party you belong to, you ask them to tell you theirs. Is it a secret? Amkwebo yakufisa, tayende”.

Kalaba said Solwezi was not developed because the UPND had forgotten about it.

“If there is a place where we need to win the elections this time, it’s here because this is where the UPND won the most. And if there are people who have been forgotten by the UPND, it’s you because if there is a place without development, it’s here in Solwezi. But this is where you say it is kyalo kyamali [the land of money]. You don’t have electricity. Even Kabwe has surpassed you. In Mufulira where they don’t even have mines, they have surpassed you, they have electricity. You don’t have water, you don’t have jobs, the network, the roads,” said Kalaba.