NO THIRD TERM FOR ANYONE, INCLUDING PRESIDENT HICHILEMA — RICHARD MASHEKE AKASHAMBATWA TELLS UPND CADRES
By Zambia Barotseland Border post
Reporter,
Zambian business analytics consultant, economist, data scientist and political commentator based in USA, Richard Masheke Akashambatwa has cautioned UPND cadres against advocating for President Hakainde Hichilema to run beyond two terms.
Akashambatwa, who is known as a member of the ruling United Party for National Development (UPND) and for his data-driven political analysis on national affairs, made the remarks in reaction to calls by some cadres suggesting the President should seek more than two terms.
In a statement posted on his Facebook monitored by Zambia Barotseland Border post news, Akashambatwa told UPND colleagues to stop suggesting wrong things and pandering to the President.
“UPND colleagues, stop suggesting wrong things and pandering to President Hakainde Hichilema. He is on record as having said he will never serve no more than is required by the constitution — that is two terms,” he wrote.
He said President Hichilema has set the Growth Agenda at the forefront of his second term and urged party members to concentrate on that and plug in.
“If you don’t know what that means wait for instructions and guidance on these matters. For purposes of full disclosure and transparency, there will NEVER BE a third term or extension of term limits for anyone in Zambia, no matter how good they are,” Akashambatwa added.
His remarks come amid growing debate on social media where some UPND supporters have been pushing for an extended stay for President Hichilema beyond the constitutional limit, a move that has drawn mixed reactions from the public and governance commentators.
President Hichilema, who was re-elected in the August 13th, 2026 general elections, has on several occasions stated his commitment to constitutionalism and democratic transfer of power.
-Zambia Barotseland Border Post/2026