Changala accuses Hichilema of “total arrogance” over campaign conduct

Changala accuses Hichilema of “total arrogance” over campaign conduct Civil rights activist Brebner Changala has accused President Hakainde Hichilema and the United Party for National Development (UPND) of taking Zambians for granted, saying the ruling party cannot expect to…

Changala accuses Hichilema of “total arrogance” over campaign conduct

Civil rights activist Brebner Changala has accused President Hakainde Hichilema and the United Party for National Development (UPND) of taking Zambians for granted, saying the ruling party cannot expect to win support by returning to rural communities only during election campaigns after what he described as years of unresolved economic hardships.

Commenting on Hichilema’s campaign message to rural voters ahead of next month’s general election, Changala said the conduct of the ruling party during the campaign reflected what he described as growing arrogance towards the electorate.

“It’s clear that any mistake Zambians make to bring these guys back will be the last nail put in a coffin. All the UPND and Mr Hakainde want is votes. And that is total arrogance Zambians have been treated with,” he said.

Changala further accused the President of resorting to divisive politics after observing what he claimed was increasing public support for opposition parties during the campaign.

“Upon realising how Zambians are flocking to opposition rallies, Hichilema has resorted to divisive tribalistic campaigns. I want to warn Zambians that they must not vote for a man who is using tribe to cling to power. Mr Hichilema is using tribal politics and Zambians must be careful with him,” he said.

The activist argued that many citizens had endured difficult economic conditions during the UPND administration, citing the high cost of living, what he described as a shrinking democratic space and growing pressure on ordinary Zambians.

“In the last five years, Zambians have seen the worst, high cost of living, shrunk democratic space and stifled citizenry,” he said.

Turning to agriculture, Changala questioned the President’s recent pledge that farmers would receive immediate payments for maize deliveries through the Food Reserve Agency, saying previous delays had eroded confidence among producers.

“I wonder how the President thinks Zambians can still buy his claims on fertiliser and delayed payment to farmers under FRA when farmers have suffered for years due to delayed payments and poor planning by FRA,” he said.

He also challenged the ruling party’s messaging on free education, arguing that the policy should not be presented as an achievement unique to the current administration because Hichilema himself benefited from free education during his own schooling.

“Hichilema and UPND cannot claim credit for free education when the Head of State himself is a product of free education,” Changala said.

The activist further accused the government of interfering in opposition politics through what he described as the use of restrictive laws and alleged that the Patriotic Front had been taken over by individuals aligned with the state.

“He has stolen the country’s biggest opposition party, the Patriotic Front, and handed it to some state-sponsored individuals,” he said.