Avoid illegibility debate, focus on mobilisation – Dickson Jere

By SIMON MUNTEMBA PF members should focus on mobilising the party instead of debating the eligibility of President Edgar Lungu which is meant to divert attention, Lusaka lawyer, Dickson Jere has advised. Mr Jere said President Lungu would be on the ballot paper in this year’s presidential and general elections contrary to assertions that he does not qualify to contest. He said the ‘noise’ people were making about President Lungu’s eligibility was just politics meant to divert attention because the constitutional court unanimously ruled that he was eligible to stand. Mr Jere told PF officials in Matero constituency that he was one of the lawyers that represented the petitioners in the case when the constitutional court unanimously ruled that President Lungu was eligible to stand. “The noise you are hearing is just politics. This matter is legally settled and I was one of the lawyers that argued that case. You can read the judgment,” Jere told the cheering members of PF who welcomed him at Ward 24 newly established offices. Mr Jere added: “Those who say the judgment was not clear should have gone back to court by way of review and seek clarification of the judgment. They didn’t do that. In fact some even attacked the court after that ruling.” He wondered why those opposed to the President standing in the elections were busy issuing statements when they did not join the case before the constitutional court. Mr Jere said the opposition UPND and Law Association of Zambia (LAZ) were part of the court process that declared President Lungu eligible. “We need to continue mobilizing for the President as he is the only known candidate so far in the party. The central committee unanimously picked him as the party Presidential candidate for 2021,” Jere said. He said aspiring Members of Parliament and councillors should wait for the adoption process to start before candidates could be known. And Matero Ward 24 chairman Evans Bwantu thanked Mr Jere for visiting the offices and meeting branch officials. “Honourable Jere we thank you for your continued support to the ward and the party. You have always been there for us especially during funerals. We always rely on you for all these years,” Mr Bwantu said. Mr Jere donated hand sanitisers and masks to the ward to help curb the spread of coronavirus. He appealed to the members to avoid huge crowds but instead work in smaller groups as they mobilise the party.