The opposition Tonse Alliance has welcomed to the faction the Forum for Democracy and Development (FDD) headed by Edith Nawakwi.
Former Republican President Edgar Lungu who is the Tonse Alliance chairman, received the FDD to the faction at a media briefing held in Lusaka this morning.
Party vice-president Chifumu Banda SC represented and signed documents to join the alliance on behalf of president Edith Nawakwi who was absent.
Speaking at the occasion, Mr. Banda said the FDD’s move to join the alliance came as a present for the new year of 2025 to the Tonse Alliance.
“This is a new year and therefore I am pleased to present a new year gift to the Tonse Alliance which is FDD joining the alliance. I think the alliance could not have had a better present than accepting a new member which is the Forum for Democracy and Development,” he said.
He further submitted that the Tonse Alliance faction stands gain massively from the membership of the FDD which is a seasoned political party in Zambia.
“The FDD is not a new political party in this country. It is a political party that at one time or another had members of parliament and ministers running this country therefore our joining the Tonse Alliance in my view adds something of value to the alliance,” he added.
Meanwhile, Tonse Alliance chairman Edgar Lungu welcomed the FDD to the faction and declared the year 2025 as a crucial year for the alliance.
“We want formally welcome FDD as a political party to the Tonse Alliance. They are not coming as visitors as they used to do in the past but as members of Tonse. 2025 is another year an there is no sitting on the fence, its either you are with us or not,” he said.
The FDD have joined the Tonse Alliance after party leader Edith Nawakwi met and held discussions with former president Edgar Lungu and opposition Citizens First leader Harry Kalaba at her Lusaka residence earlier this week.
