LUSAKA - State House has dismissed claims that President Hakainde Hichilema's inauguration was illegal, describing the assertions as propaganda aimed at misleading the public.
Chief Communication Specialist Clayson Hamasaka said there was no active presidential election petition before any Zambian court and that the country was not facing a crisis.
"Contrary to the propaganda that the inauguration was illegal, for the record, there is no active presidential election petition in any Zambian court and there is no crisis in the country at the moment," Mr Hamasaka said in a statement.
"What is there are suspected acts of criminal activity by some people. Otherwise, citizens are peaceful and going about their business."
Mr Hamasaka condemned what he described as continued incitement by people in the diaspora urging citizens to engage in confrontation and insurrection.
"Zambians have spoken," he said. "While one may dislike the verdict, dispute it through lawful channels or analyse it endlessly, repeatedly trying to incite a citizenry that has clearly rejected the invitation to revolt is neither statesmanship nor bravery."
He urged aggrieved political players to learn from the United Party for National Development, which experienced narrow electoral losses in 2015 and 2016.
"In 2015, the presidential margin was approximately 27,000 votes; in 2016, approximately 100,000. Those were extraordinarily difficult moments. Yet, eventually, we picked up the pieces and moved on," Mr Hamasaka said.
He said that despite arrests and what he described as political persecution, including more than 15 police summonses against then opposition leader Hichilema, the UPND did not leave the country or incite citizens from abroad.
Mr Hamasaka said the administration saw a glimpse of potential unrest when an "immature opposition figure" prematurely proclaimed victory, leading to the vandalism of billboards and attempts to reclaim markets and bus stations.
"Thankfully, firm condemnation from the President, responsible citizens and the security services prevented matters from deteriorating further," he said.
He called on the opposition to respect democracy and prepare for the next election.
"Complain if you must. Petition where the law permits. Criticise robustly. Organise politically. Prepare for another election," Mr Hamasaka said.
"But please spare the country the spectacle of grumpy old adults endlessly quarrelling with the electorate because it declined to vote according to their instructions."
He added that democracy required the maturity to understand that political power was neither hereditary nor an entitlement.
Source: Mwebantu