Lusaka — MWANAWASA is a wrong sacrificial lamb, opposition National Citizens Coalition (NCC) president Pastor Nevers Mumba has said.

Addressing All Nations Bible Church Conference at Lusaka's Nakatindi Hall, Pastor Mumba said Mwanawasa did not deserve the blame of a corrupt system.

He said it was unfortunate that the innocent Mwanawasa who heroically resigned the vice-presidency from the ruling MMD seven years ago citing corruption as the main reason today accepted to defend the corruption he denounced.

"With much respect for him, he is a wrong sacrificial lamb," Pastor Mumba said. "We are ready for Mr. Mwanawasa. We shall fight him just as we fought the evils we perceived were in the MMD."

However, Pastor Mumba welcomed the adoption of Mwanawasa as MMD presidential candidate saying it had completed the political landscape in the battle for Zambia.

He observed that the delays in the MMD's announcement of their presidential candidate had been disturbing as it had resulted in uncertainty." We were waiting for them to choose their candidate so that we can move on.

Now the battle for the soul of Zambia has begun," Pastor Mumba said . "Any carelessness in handling the battle will cause great pain."

Pastor Mumba said this was because the battle field would be faced with varying intentions with some going for presidency to revenge while others for employment and others to serve.

Pastor Mumba said Zambia's declaration as a Christian nation was in danger and called on the Church to join in the fight for Christian values in government.

And also commenting on Mwanawasa's adoption as MMD presidential candidate in this year's general elections, Solwezi west member of parliament Benny Tetamashimba said anybody who until recently had worked with President Frederick Chiluba could not make a good president. He said Mwanawasa would have difficulties working with the same leaders he accused of being corrupt when he resigned as vice-president of the country in 1994.

"Mwanawasa resigned because of corruption and injustices in government. How is he going to reconcile corruption and his overwhelming adoption by the same people to lead them?" asked Tetamashimba.

Earlier during the official opening of the conference, Lusaka Mayor Patrick Kangwa, said Christian understanding and Godly morals were the backbone of any nation. He said unless the church claimed its rightful place, Zambia's declaration as a Christian nation would be a mockery to God.

He called on churches to pray for peace in Lusaka and for the city council which he said was engulfed by numerous problems.

Mayor Kangwa also urged the church to pray for peace, reconciliation and understanding among political parties so that Lusaka would remain a peaceful city as it is known to have brokered peace for other nations.