The National Democratic Congress (NDC) has urged its members countrywide to shun the National Day of Prayer slated for this Thursday, saying the party will not participate in the event.

NDC vice president Joseph Akafumba stated in a statement, Tuesday, that party members should use this day to reflect on the pain and havoc that the PF had caused on Zambians.

“The NDC will not take part in the Day of National Prayer slated for this Thursday. In this regard, the NDC is urging all its members countrywide to shun this occasion. There is so much tyranny, bitterness, resentment and acrimony in the country! To therefore proclaim that the current leadership needs divine intervention to pacify the current problems the country is facing is nothing but blasphemous,” Joseph stated.

“To our members, we urge you to use this day to reflect on the pain and havoc that this regime has caused to your well-being. We urge you, our members, to use this day to mingle with the poor and the marginalised in society. Tell them about the NDC and its vision. Use this day to remind people in all villages and regions that Zambia is under a police state and that, indeed, change is coming in 2021.”

Akafumba charged that the problems Zambia was facing had been caused by the Patriotic Front and its leader, adding that attempts to use political-induced prayers to unite the nation was the worst form of hypocrisy.

“President Edgar Lungu has never been serious on national dialogue and reconciliation. The problems that this country is facing have been caused by the Patriotic Front and President Lungu. It is self-inflicted pain, like a toothache; its solution is removal and not ‘Panadol’ arrangement. Attempts to use political-induced prayers to unite the nation cannot work and is the worst form of hypocrisy,” Akafumba argued.

“It is blasphemous to claim that the current leadership has dedicated this county to God in order for God to hear our prayers. Their actions are totally at variance with Christian teachings. The current crop of leaders have failed to inspire confidence in the general citizenry and should, therefore, not use Christianity to hoodwink its people.”

Akafumba further stated that, as a party, they were at pains in attending the National Day of Prayer because corruption, vengeance and animosity was still strong in the country.

“There is injustice in this nation, which injustice has been caused and entrenched by this wreck less Patriotic Front regime. This regime has continued arresting opposition political leaderships with impunity on flimsy grounds. Those with divergent views and opinions are treated as enemies of the State. The country is completely divided and polarized owing to the injustice being perpetrated by the governing party,” he stated.

“The current regime is thus not sincere when they talk about reconciliation and forgiveness. In order to forgive and reconcile, the Patriotic Front regime must admit the wrongs that they have committed against the Zambian people. To, therefore, try and use the Bible to mislead Zambians into thinking that this regime is sincere in uniting its people is nothing but a farce.”

Akafumba observed that if the PF regime was truly and sincerely genuine in mending bridges, Zambians wouldn’t have been divided.

He also insisted that the NDC would only start participating in the National Day of Prayer when corrupt elements were purged from government.