The Sunday News
Judith Phiri, Sunday News Reporter
LEADER of the Democratic Opposition Party (DOP), who is one of the 23 aspiring presidential candidates Mr Harry Peter Wilson, says the election promises made by MDC Alliance leader Mr Nelson Chamisa are not realistic and betrays his lack of political maturity in a country that cries for a pragmatic leader rooted in the struggle of restoring dignity and decency to Zimbabweans.
He said Mr Chamisa lacks the basic connection with reality and should be given time to mature politically. He rubbished the bullet trains and spaghetti roads campaign lines by Mr Chamisa as wishful dreaming, absurd and childish, saying Zimbabwe has more pressing issues to expend energy on.
“We are not going to see those things anytime soon in Zimbabwe. The engagement process that the Government has embarked on was the missing link. Mugabe had isolated the country and we are now on the track to recover. I tell you whoever is going to win the coming elections will see things changing,” he said.
Speaking to the Sunday News about his election manifesto, Mr Wilson said he was going to seek the creation of a Government of national unity for Zimbabweans to work together to turn around the economy if he wins the elections.
This he clearly defines in the party’s manifesto dubbed “Government of National Unity Manifesto”.
Mr Wilson said once elected DOP would push for a unity government whose main focus would be to put the national economy on track with little attention on politics of safeguarding positions that the country was exposed to in the decades after independence.
“At the end of the day, we are Zimbabweans and it should not be about politics but focusing on economic turnaround efforts.
The stability of the country will be strengthened by a government of national unity with all recognised political parties, including Zanu-PF and MDC. We can only do that if we are united as Zimbabweans, bring in the skills from all corners of the world and from other political parties and improve the livelihood of everyone,” said Mr Wilson.
The presidential contestant and businessman said women and youths played a vital role in the development of the country hence they should be included in politics and be given space to contribute.
“Our manifesto is also based on the cash crisis. All those people who lost their money during dollarisation will get their money back. The banking system will be credible once again and people will retain their confidence in it as people will be getting their money whenever they need it. Even the Bible says give Caesar what belongs the Caesar,” said Mr Wilson.
— @judiephiri9
