Nevers Mumba dismisses claims Edgar Lungu’s body can influence election outcome
New Nation Party president Pastor Nevers Mumba has dismissed claims that the late Sixth President Edgar Lungu’s body or spirit could determine Zambia’s political future, describing such beliefs as false and rooted in superstition.
Lusaka, 5 July – Speaking during a live broadcast, Mumba, who is also a member of the UPND Alliance, alleged that beliefs associated with witchcraft had become increasingly widespread in Zambia. He accused some members of the Tonse Alliance of attempting to use the late president’s memory and alleged spiritual beliefs for political gain ahead of this year’s general election.
Mumba warned that those seeking electoral advantage by invoking the late former president’s spirit were embracing forces they could not control.
“If you insist on getting the spirit of a dead man to become your flag bearer in winning an election, you may even win an election, but this country will be doomed forever because it will be governed by a dead spirit,” he claimed.
He maintained that the late President Lungu, whom he described as a committed Christian, would not have supported claims that his body possessed spiritual powers capable of influencing who remains in office.
Mumba also rejected allegations circulating on social media that President Hakainde Hichilema could obtain political power by viewing the late president’s body.
He said there was no truth to claims that the ruling UPND operates a shrine where President Hichilema and Vice-President Mutale Nalumango worship.
“There is no shrine in the UPND. If there was one, I would have known it and I would have destroyed it,” Mumba said, adding that his Christian faith would have enabled him to detect such practices if they existed.
He further urged President Hichilema to focus on leading Zambia into the future rather than being drawn into what he described as baseless claims surrounding the late president’s death.
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