The UPND’s Ruthless Political Calculations: A Blueprint for One-Party Rule?
By Thandiwe Ketis Ngoma
In a series of brazen political maneuvers, the United Party for National Development (UPND) government has shifted its support from Miles Sampa—who allegedly played a key role in destabilizing Zambia’s main opposition, the Patriotic Front (PF)—to Chabinga, who appears to be the latest pawn in the UPND’s political game. Sampa, widely believed to have enjoyed state backing, controversially declared himself PF President through a “bogus convention,” an event seen as orchestrated to fracture PF from within. The government-owned media outlet ZNBC even broadcasted this spectacle, signaling its endorsement. However, Sampa’s meteoric rise has now been abruptly halted as the UPND pivots to Chabinga—a new face they are intent on promoting as the legitimate leader of PF.
Chabinga, thrust into the political spotlight, is now receiving similar government backing, with extensive media coverage and other resources, despite flouting a court injunction that bars him from assuming PF’s presidency. This blatant disregard for the rule of law raises urgent and uncomfortable questions: Why is the UPND so obsessed with interfering in PF’s internal affairs? More crucially, what long-term damage will this manipulation inflict on Zambia’s fragile democracy?
From Sampa to Chabinga: A Disturbing and Dangerous Pattern of Political Interference
The UPND’s transition from Sampa to Chabinga is not a spontaneous or opportunistic move; it is part of a carefully calculated strategy. The pattern is unmistakable: first Sampa, now Chabinga—each allegedly benefiting from government support designed to destabilize and undermine PF’s leadership. Despite a clear court injunction barring Chabinga from claiming the PF presidency, ZNBC and ZANIS, both government-controlled media, aired his press conference, demonstrating the UPND’s willingness to trample on the rule of law for its own political advantage. This behavior reveals an alarming, calculated objective: to reduce PF to political irrelevance, erasing it from Zambia’s political landscape and depriving the country of a genuine opposition.
This ongoing political interference is a direct assault on Zambia’s democratic foundations. By installing UPND surrogates as PF leaders, the UPND is not simply undermining a political party—it is rendering Zambia’s largest opposition party a hollow, powerless shadow. This is not about fostering healthy political competition; it is about manipulating the system to ensure that any opposition exists only as a token, under the complete control of the ruling party.
The UPND’s True Motive: A Ruthless Power Grab at the Expense of Democracy
In a functioning democracy, opposition parties are essential. They are the guardians of checks and balances, upholders of accountability, and voices for the diverse concerns of the population. Yet, the UPND’s strategy of endorsing weak, government-backed surrogates to take over PF’s leadership is a clear effort to create a compliant, ineffective opposition that serves the interests of the ruling party alone.
If left unchecked, this politically engineered manipulation will permanently alter Zambia’s political landscape, entrenching one-party dominance and eroding the very foundation of multi-party democracy. A government that truly respects democratic values would seek to strengthen the opposition, not obliterate it. The UPND’s actions force us to confront a chilling question: Is this government committed to democracy, or is it simply using democracy as a tool to consolidate and retain power?
State Media and Judicial Integrity: Both Under Attack
The government-controlled media’s role in broadcasting Chabinga’s press conference, in flagrant defiance of a court injunction, raises grave concerns about media impartiality and the independence of institutions in Zambia. When state-run outlets like ZNBC and ZANIS become propaganda arms of the government, the very idea of an unbiased, public platform for debate and discussion is destroyed. In a true democracy, the media should serve as a neutral space for diverse perspectives—not as a mouthpiece for the ruling party’s political agenda.
Equally disturbing is the government’s flagrant disregard for judicial authority. Judicial independence is the bedrock of any democratic society, ensuring that laws apply equally to all individuals and institutions, regardless of political affiliation. By openly flouting a court injunction against Chabinga’s leadership claims, the UPND is sending a dangerous message: that Zambia’s judiciary can be sidelined for political convenience. This undermines the rule of law, weakens public trust in the judicial system, and endangers Zambia’s democratic stability. If this trend continues unchecked, we will be left with a government that operates without any legal or institutional constraints, creating a state where power is abused and the rule of law is meaningless.
A Call for Immediate Action: Defend Democracy, Defend Zambia
The UPND’s interference in PF’s leadership is nothing short of an assault on Zambia’s democratic norms. Zambians deserve a political system where leaders rise to power based on merit, ideas, and popular support—not through government manipulation. If this manipulation continues, the UPND’s actions will destabilize Zambia’s political environment, silence dissent, and destroy any meaningful opposition.
For Zambia’s democracy to thrive, it is essential that transparency, accountability, and respect for the rule of law are upheld. It is not just the responsibility of the government to protect these values, but also of civil society, the media, and every citizen. The UPND’s actions serve as a wake-up call to all Zambians: now is the time to demand unwavering commitment to democracy and integrity from political institutions. If Zambia is to preserve its democratic legacy, citizens must actively defend these core principles, ensuring that the future is shaped by free, fair, and open political competition.
Conclusion: Zambia Deserves True Representation and Uncompromised Accountability
The UPND government’s shift from Sampa to Chabinga illustrates an alarming willingness to manipulate Zambia’s democratic institutions for short-term political gain. This raises critical questions: Why is the government so determined to dismantle PF’s leadership? What will this political interference mean for Zambia’s future as a multi-party democracy?
For Zambia’s democracy to survive, the Hichilema administration must deliver transparency and accountability to its citizens. The strength of Zambia’s political system lies in its diversity, its independent institutions, and its commitment to genuine political competition. These pillars of democracy cannot be sacrificed for fleeting political advantage.
Now, more than ever, Zambians must demand a political environment that respects judicial independence, values a free and impartial media, and prioritizes the integrity of the democratic process. By standing firm in defense of these principles, citizens can safeguard their democratic rights and secure a resilient political landscape for future generations. To compromise on democracy for short-term political convenience is to betray Zambia’s future—Zambians deserve better, and it is time they demand it.