By NATION REPORTER in Mporokoso

NRPUP vice-presidential candidate Makebi Zulu has declared that he sacrificed his own presidential ambition in response to public calls for a united opposition, urging Zambians to complete the mission by voting for presidential candidate Brian Mundubile in next month’s election.

Addressing a charged campaign rally in Mporokoso yesterday, Mr. Zulu said his decision to step aside as a presidential candidate and accept the position of running mate was driven by patriotism and a shared desire to rescue the country from what he described as five years of economic hardship under the UPND government.

Mr. Zulu, who led the Resolute Party before joining forces with Mr. Mundubile under the NRPUP alliance, said leadership was about sacrifice rather than personal ambition.

“Brian Mundubile and I sat down and agreed that we cannot all be Presidents. I said, ‘You are my elder brother, you be the President and, as leader of the Resolute Party, I will be your Vice President.’ We agreed to work together to liberate you, the Zambian people. We listened to your calls. It is now up to you to do your part by voting us into office,” he said to loud cheers.

Driving home the point, Mr. Zulu repeatedly reminded supporters that they would not find his name on the ballot paper.

“Don’t look for my name on the ballot because you won’t find it. Look for Brian Mundubile’s name and the lamp symbol. Voting for Mundubile is voting for me,” he said.

Mr. Zulu told the gathering that he and Mr. Mundubile had built a strong working relationship while serving as provincial ministers under former President Edgar Chagwa Lungu, where they implemented policies aimed at strengthening food security by ensuring farmers received adequate farming inputs.

He contrasted that period with the current administration, accusing President Hakainde Hichilema of failing to fulfil campaign promises made to farmers.

“The UPND promised you 10 bags of fertiliser. Has anyone received 10 bags? Nine? Eight? Even six?” he asked, prompting the crowd to respond that they were instead receiving fertiliser in gallons, popularly known as medas.