MULUSA REVEALS PRESIDENT HICHILEMA’S DIRECTIVE TO BUY INDEPENDENT CANDIDATES
By Given Mutinta
In a revealing phone conversation with Moses Kokela, an independent candidate who recently secured nomination for the Kalumbila Council Chairperson seat, former Solwezi Central Member of Parliament and ex-Government Chief Whip Stafford Mulusa disclosed a controversial political maneuver.
Mulusa described his role as an emissary entrusted by President Hakainde Hichilema to address the growing influence of independent candidates in North-Western Province.
According to Mulusa, President Hichilema has explicitly tasked him with persuading all independent candidates in the region to withdraw from the upcoming elections.
The directive, as conveyed in the discussion, was to essentially “buy all independents” with the aim of consolidating political control and reducing the fragmentation of votes that accompanies multiple independent bids.
Mulusa urged Kokela to “make a deal with Number 1,” implying negotiations should be initiated with the President.
The revelation shows President Hichilema’s machination to maintain dominance in the province by neutralizing potential electoral competition from non-affiliated aspirants.