PRESIDENT Edgar Lungu says there is no alternative to the PF because the ruling party remains the people’s choice.

And President Lungu says he will not tolerate any anarchy or criminal behavior within and outside the PF.

Speaking when he opened the PF’s Muchinga provincial conference, Saturday, President Lungu said the opposition had continued to specialise in propaganda by alleging that the PF was corrupt, which had been already rejected by the Zambians.

He said Zambians were eagerly awaiting 2021 so that they could give PF another vote of confidence.

“Comrades, it is very true that Patriotic Front is number one choice in the political arena…Let us aspire to remain Zambia’s number one party of choice. It is with humility that we say here there is no alternative for the PF. While our opponents specialise in propaganda such as alleging corruption they cannot substantiate, publishing and causing to publish falsehoods against the nation they claim to love. The people of Zambia are watching and are able to differentiate those of us who have sworn to patriotism and allegiance to the nation and those who think propaganda, lies and insults are a substitute to credible opposition,” President Lungu said.

“Zambians know who is working and who is not. Zambians know that the opposition is not an alternative to government. They know that the opposition has failed to offer alternative policies. Most Zambians are waiting for August 2021 to come and give us another vote of confidence to lead this country up to 2026. For this reason I urge you as members of the Patriotic Front to continue working hard and preaching the development, we are taking to all parts of Zambia without leaving anybody behind.”

He challenged the opposition to debate issues of development as the ruling party would not be drawn to issues of fake news and innuendos.

“We invite the opposition to a contest in the people’s arena of tangible developments as we will not be drawn to a brawl in their mire of fake news and innuendos. While our nation has faced some challenges brought on by climate change which have in turn been exacerbated by the novel coronavirus, even our fiercest critics can affirm that the development landscape countrywide has changed for the better under our stewardship. While our nation has faced some challenges brought on by climate change which have in turn been exacerbated by the novel Coronavirus, even our fiercest critics can affirm that the development landscape countrywide has changed for the better under our stewardship,” he said.

“The roads, bridges, airports, health facilities, educational facilities and other socio-economic infrastructure which are vital determinants of our industrialisation agenda speak for us. Vision 2030 which a few years ago appeared to be an obscure target on the distant horizon, is now becoming more reachable with every giant stride we have taken since PF formed government in 2011. We therefore challenge the opposition to compete with us in the arena of civil politics and tangible development rather than attempt to draw us into their element of cynical opportunism, fake news, distortions, innuendo and ill-will. On this score, let me thank our strongholds for your continued support.”

President Lungu said the party would not neglect its strongholds in its developmental agenda.

“The foundation of PF remains strong because Mr Micheal Chilufya Sata made sure that the foundation is rooted in the hearts of the people of Zambia including Muchinga where it remains firmly established to this every day. It is a vision which we continue to carry in the boat of the PF, this vision he left us. Let Muchinga continue with [Micheal] Sata’s spirit of unity. Let Muchinga continue with the spirit of patriotism and nationalism which Mr Sata lived for. For the PF party to continue to grow and for us as a political party in government to meet our developmental targets, we should never lose our opportunity of purpose,” President Lungu said.

“As we change the face of Zambia for the better, I am here to assure you that our strongholds shall not be left behind. Therefore, as we prepare for 2021, let no one deceive our people in our strongholds that they will deliver development more than us in the Patriotic Front.”

And President Lungu said he would not tolerate any anarchy or criminal behavior within and outside the party.

“Colleagues in the PF, let me make a call of discipline, my fellow party members, especially those of you at higher level, you must realise that the people of Zambia have entrusted the PF with the task of developing our nation in line with our manifesto and indeed the Seventh National Development Plan and vision 2030. Discipline is the bridge between where we are now as a party and the nation and where we plan to take our country to. A chain is only as strong as its weakest link; because a chain is only as strong as its weakest link, no one is indispensable. I would therefore not hesitate to part company with anyone and anything taking the party from its founding ideals. Indiscipline is a danger, indiscipline is a hazard and the PF will not tolerate any anarchy or criminal behavior within and outside the party,” said President Lungu.