HH has been arrested for refusing to recognize Lungu – Minister

Godfridah Sumaili

Government says UPND leader Hakainde Hichilema was arrested for refusing to recognise Edgar Lungu as president.

Minister of the so called Religious Affairs Godfridah Sumaili made the revelation when she was speaking on Zambia Blog Talk Radio.

‘What has caused all this is that refusal to acknowledge the election of president Edgar Changwa Lungu’, Sumaili said.

This is contrary to the charges read out in court.

“You know, there is so much talk, there is so much tension, there is this there is that. I know that there are a lot of things that we have to deal with, I know that a national leader has been incarcerated and I know that obviously the followers are…yeah that’s… we are aware of that. The first thing I want to say is that we need to pray as Zambians, there is nothing that God cannot answer. We [must] pray for restoration, for peace, for reconciliation for unity, I think that is very important,” said Sumaili.

“But also, when a leader is elected by the people, we need to respect that. What has caused all this is that refusal to acknowledge the election of President Edgar Chagwa Lungu and he was patient, he has not been rough, he had to be pushed and pushed to the wall. I mean, now it becomes a court case and now, we need to allow another arm of the government with powers, regulations and authority. You cannot start jumping to say ‘no, release him’. No, let it take its course. All we can do is to pray for peace, for our leaders for reconciliation. And if I was to see HH now, I would tell him that ‘God loves you and he has a plan for you in our nation. I would advise him, guide him to be humble and wait for your time and trust in God’. That’s what I would say.”