Incumbent Zambian President Lungu concedes defeat, pledges smooth transition

The outgoing Zambian President Edgar Lungu has conceded defeat and committed to handing over power peacefully.

In a brief televised national address on Monday, Lungu congratulated president-elect Hakainde Hichilema and committed to a peaceful transfer of power.

“I want to thank you the Zambian people for giving me the opportunity to be your president. I will forever cherish and appreciate the authority you vested in me.

’’All I ever wanted to do was to serve my country to the best of my abilities. Together with you, we did score in many areas.

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“We held our general elections on Thursday and the Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ) has released the final results. Based on the ECZ results, I will comply with the constitutional provisions for peaceful transitions of power.

’I would therefore congratulate my brother the president-elect, his excellency Mr Hakainde Hichilema for becoming the seventh republican president,” he said.

Hichilema won the presidential election with a huge margin, beating Lungu by a million votes. He obtained 2810 757 votes against Lungu’s 1 814 201.

United Party for National Development (UPND) leader Hichilema ran in five previous presidential elections and lost. This was his sixth attempt at the presidency.

By Mayowa Oladeji

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