POLITICAL analyst Dr Neo Simutanyi says those in opposition should not claim there is nothing good about UPND.

He adds that removing PF from power was a good thing because things have been done differently.

However, Dr Simutanyi adds that those in power should not think being in office is a right, but only a privilege which can be withdrawn.

In an interview, Wednesday, Dr Simutanyi said since removing PF both the ruling party and opposition have realised there are things not to do when in office.

“In our politics, those who are in opposition should not necessarily say there is nothing good about UPND, there is something good about UPND. It was a good thing that PF was removed from power because things have been done differently and we’ve learnt something. Everybody has learnt something, both those in power and those in opposition have learnt something that there are things you don’t do when you are in power and that if you do them you can be removed. But those who are in power should not think that being in power is a right, it’s only a privilege which can be withdrawn and those who are demanding that there should be accountability and so forth are ordinary citizens of this country. For me I take it that the 14 who are contesting the presidency are entitled to stand and any of them can rule this country. There is nothing special about Hakainde Hichilema or UPND. So, the thing is that we need a leadership that is inclusive,” he said.

Dr Simutanyi said Zambia is polarised, noting the division is partly the construction of politicians.

“Zambia is polarised and the polarisation of the country is partly the construction of politicians. Those in government consider those that don’t support them as outsiders and what is happening now is that those who are outside are associating with the opposition. And you are seeing that Brian Mundubile and his alliance are mobilising for those people that feel excluded, there is a class issue here and the class issue is that those that are not close to government also happen to be those who are disadvantaged. Even these CDF and so forth, it’s being enjoyed mainly those who are affiliated to the party in power and it was the same even under PF and it’s the same now. So, what is happening now is that in the mobilisation of support in areas where the UPND has their strongholds, their political message is what they have should not be lost. In other words, government is a property of those who are in power and those who put them in power,” said Dr Simutanyi.

“So, they are going to their strongholds telling them that you ensure that we don’t lose this thing we have, meaning that that group of people in those areas is considered to be the rightful owners of what we call the government. Meaning that they are also the ones who are realising the benefits of being associated to the party in power. And this is the politics that we should change, we need the kind of politics where people don’t necessarily need to be close to the people in power for you to benefit from your own government”.