LATE Republican president Levy Mwanawasa's eldest daughter, Mirriam has advised her younger brother, Patrick against issuing statements that are likely to divide the nation.

Mirriam, who apologised to Zambians people over Patrick's statements, said she had advised her brother against using their father's name in vain and that the late president should be allowed to rest in peace.

She said in an interview in Ndola yesterday that it was not healthy for Patrick to engage in such wrangles and that she had advised him not to engage in issues that were confrontational.

"I have spoken to Patrick and I have advised him to stop issuing such statements. You know such issues are just likely to divide the nation and I am happy that he has agreed to stop issuing statements. I spoke with him this morning," Mirriam said.

And when contacted Patrick also said, "I am not going to issue any more statements on any issue."

Mirriam advised those allegedly using Patrick for selfish gain to desist from doing so, saying there was need to live in unity and concentrate on development that would benefit all.

Mirriam has also appealed to Zambians to remain peaceful and refrain from judging one another, saying God was the best Judge.

In the case of second Republican President Frederick Chiluba, Mirriam said the former president should not be judged because God's favour had already vindicated him.

"God is equal to good and the devil is equal to evil. It is evil to live in disunity and if we love God, then let us all love and forgive each other," she said.

She said favour was God's divine perfume which when God pours it on someone, not even history would take it away, hence Dr Chiluba's acquital was from God.

"I am not a politician, neither am I a public speaker but all I would want to do is apologise to the nation on behalf of the Mwanawasa family, we have advised Patrick accordingly," said Mirriam who also quoted Ephesians 4:23-24 in the Bible.

And Independent Churches of Zambia (ICOZ) Board Chairperson David Masupha said yesterday that the Church was disappointed with the events.

"The late president himself is on record telling the nation that Dr Chiluba was his friend and being his friend means Dr Chiluba is also the same as a parent to Dr Mwanawasa's children and that is the more reason why the two parties should sit down and iron out issues as a family," he said.

Bishop Masupha was also disappointed with the people who were trying to use Patrick to champion their political mileage, saying the same people should be advising Patrick to go back to school instead of using him and dumping him after he had helped them gain politically.

Word of Touch Ministries Bishop Mambwe Kafwimbi said in an interview in Kitwe that Miko and Patrick should avoid issuing statements that could divide the nation.

Bishop Kafwimbi, who was reacting to the statements by Miko and Patrick said the duo should sit down and find ways and means of helping to unite the people of Zambia, instead of dividing them.

He advised Patrick against insulting Dr Chiluba who he said played his part for the country when he was in office.

The Bishop said Dr Chiluba was not a spent force as Patrick put it because he still had something to contribute to the nation in a more parental and advisory manner.

And Church Forum Review Action chairperson and overseer John Lumayi advised Patrick to desist from insulting Dr Chiluba who he said saved the life of late president Dr Mwanawasa.

Bishop Lumayi said Patrick should show exemplary respect to Dr Chiluba for him to be regarded as a good citizen and future leader.

He said Patrick should refrain from issuing statements bent on destroying the peace of the nation as he was not getting support from anyone in Zambia.