Miles Sampa Reaffirms PF Presidency, Signals Readiness for Opposition Unity
LUSAKA – Patriotic Front (PF) leader and Matero Member of Parliament, Miles Sampa, held a high-profile press conference today to clarify his standing within the party and the broader political landscape. Sampa emphasized that, per recent court pronouncements and the party’s current legal status, he remains the legitimately recognized President of the Patriotic Front.
Hon Sampa addressed the long-standing leadership disputes that have fractured the PF into various factions. He pointed to the Lusaka High Court rulings and the records at the Registrar of Societies, which continue to recognize the office-bearers aligned with his presidency following the controversial extraordinary general conference held in October 2023
While other factions—including those led by Robert Chabinga and the newly formed one under Makebi Zulu—continue to claim authority, Sampa maintained that the law is on his side. He dismissed rival claims as legally unsupported and reaffirmed his commitment to stabilizing the party’s internal structures.
In a significant move toward opposition consolidation, Sampa expressed a willingness to prioritize national interest over personal title. With the August 13, 2026, general election approaching, he stated that he is ready to engage with all major opposition players to form a united front against the ruling UPND.
Most notably, he declared that if his current legal status as PF President becomes a “stumbling block” to a broader opposition victory, he is willing to “make way for others.He emphasized that he would consider setting aside his personal claim to the PF presidency if it ensures the party’s survival and contributes to a winning coalition for the good of the Zambian people.
The press conference comes at a time of intense political maneuvering in Zambia. With the opposition currently split between the Tonse Alliance, the United Kwacha Alliance (UKA), and the PF Pamodzi Alliance. Sampa’s invitation for unity suggests a potential shift in the balance of power.
“My leadership is not about the seat, but about the service,” Sampa told reporters. “If stepping aside is the price for a united opposition and a better Zambia on August 13, then that is a price I am willing to pay.