UPND offered me K700, 000 to withdraw, claims NRPUP Lumezi South Parley candidate

By NATION REPORTER 

NRPUP Lumezi South aspiring parliamentary candidate Oliver Mwale has claimed that the ruling UPND offered him K700, 000 to withdraw from the race so that its candidate could go through unopposed.

In an exclusive interview, Mr. Mwale said he rejected the alleged offer because accepting it would have betrayed the trust of his supporters.

“I refused because I could not disappoint my supporters. They have stood with me and believe in the vision we have for Lumezi South. Money cannot replace the people’s trust,” Mr. Mwale said.

The immediate former Lumezi Town Council Chairperson also claimed that some opposition aspiring councillors had accepted payments and subsequently withdrew from their races.

Mr. Mwale also accused the UPND administration of being selective in allocating government grants, loans and bursaries, alleging that only individuals with connections to the ruling party were benefitting.

“I witnessed what I describe as partisan distribution of government opportunities during my five-year tenure as council chairperson. Development and empowerment programmes should benefit every deserving citizen regardless of political affiliation. Unfortunately, that has not been the case,” he alleged.

He claimed the UPND government had “failed the people of Lumezi” and should be voted out in this year’s general elections.

Mr. Mwale said a Tonse Pamodzi Alliance government would ensure the equitable distribution of economic opportunities, development projects and public resources without discrimination based on political affiliation.

Ends.