ALEX NJOVU, Kitwe
PRESIDENT Lungu has paid glowing tribute to late Patriotic Front (PF) member of the central committee (MCC) Willie Nsanda for the key role he played during the 2015 presidential election.
Mr Lungu described Mr Nsanda, who was Road Development Agency (RDA) board chairperson, as a gallant fighter and reconciliator.
“Mr Nsanda played a key role in uniting the PF when the party was having succession wrangles following the demise of late President Michael Sata.  Mr Nsanda also played a key role in my election as president,” he said.
Mr Nsanda was Mr Lungu’s campaign manager.
He said Mr Nsanda was one of the PF members who ensured that the PF partnered and worked with former President Rupiah Banda to campaign for the ruling party in the January 20 presidential election.
Mr Lungu said this when he visited the funeral house of the late Mr Nsanda in Kitwe’s Ganerton residential area.
He urged family members to be strong and put everything in God’s hands.
President Lungu arrived at the funeral house around 11.30 hours where he spent about  an hour .
He was accompanied by Minister of Agriculture and Livestock Given Lubinda,  his Tourism counterpart Jean Kapata, Copperbelt Minister Mwenya Musenge, Special Assistant for press and public relations  Amos Chanda, State House staff and PF members.
Mr Lungu also visited Mr Nsanda’s grave at Nkana cemetery where he laid a wreath.
President Lungu also inspected the Presidential Guest House in Ndeke which is under renovation.
And on arrival at Ndola’s Simon Mwansa Kapwepwe International Airport, President Lungu described Mr Nsanda as a great man who helped unite the party, reports MUBANGA NONDO.
“I have come here to mourn my friend, Willie. Many of you may not know who Willie was. He was such a great man who put the party together when it was going through a rough patch,” the President said.