Nkombo rejects Hichilema’s allegations, defends independent bid for Mazabuka Central
Former Local Government and Rural Development Minister Gary Nkombo has rejected allegations made against him by President Hakainde Hichilema at a campaign rally in Mazabuka, insisting that he has a constitutional right to contest the Mazabuka Central parliamentary seat as an independent candidate.
Mazabuka, 23 July – Mr Nkombo, a former Mazabuka Central Member of Parliament, said his decision to contest outside the United Party for National Development (UPND) was within his constitutional rights.
He cited Article 51 of the Constitution of Zambia, which provides for eligible candidates to contest elections as independents.
Mr Nkombo was responding to remarks made by President Hichilema during a rally in Mazabuka on Thursday afternoon, where the President questioned his independent candidacy and made several allegations against his former long-time political ally.
President Hichilema alleged that Mr Nkombo was working with opposition politician Brian Mundubile, pointing to the candle symbol appearing on Mr Nkombo’s campaign materials.
However, Mr Nkombo rejected the suggestion, saying the symbol was neither designed nor selected by him but was allocated to his candidature by the Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ).
He said it was therefore misleading to use the symbol as evidence of an alleged political alliance with Mr Mundubile.
Mr Nkombo declined to respond in detail to some of the President’s other remarks, describing them as abusive and untrue.
He recalled his role in the UPND’s opposition years, saying he was among party members who faced intimidation and physical attacks during the Patriotic Front (PF) administration while supporting Mr Hichilema and the party.
Mr Nkombo has since urged his supporters to remain focused on the campaign and avoid being distracted by political attacks.
He stressed that he was no longer a member of the UPND and was therefore entitled to pursue his political ambitions independently
During the Mazabuka rally, President Hichilema also accused Mr Nkombo of failing to improve roads in the constituency despite serving as Mazabuka Central MP for nearly two decades.
The President further alleged that Mr Nkombo had played a role in the late Anderson Mazoka’s failure to win previous elections, among other claims.
Mr Nkombo, however, maintained that his supporters should concentrate on campaigning and securing victory in the parliamentary race rather than engaging in exchanges with his former party.
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