UNITY OR NOTHING: NAKACHINDA’S 2026 OPPOSITION CALL
By Brian Matambo – Sandton, South Africa
In a charged edition of _*Emmanuel Mwamba Verified,*_ Hon. Rev. Raphael Nakachinda, Secretary General of both the Patriotic Front (PF) and Tonse Alliance, used his platform to deliver a blunt prescription for Zambia’s fractured opposition: set aside personal ambition and unite behind one leader, or risk forfeiting 2026 to President Hakainde Hichilema.
Nakachinda framed the current administration as “the weakest candidate to defeat” provided the opposition avoids self-inflicted division. He warned that manipulation of state institutions, including the judiciary and Parliament, could be overcome only if opposition parties present “a viable, united platform” chosen by the people themselves.
Callers from across the diaspora – Italy, England, Australia, the UK, the United States, and within Zambia – echoed his unity theme, pressing Nakachinda on whether the PF would be prepared to rally behind a non-PF candidate within the Tonse Alliance if legal battles over PF leadership remain unresolved. Several callers linked the unity question to the ongoing political harassment of opposition figures, cost-of-living crises, and the state’s treatment of former First Lady Esther Lungu during the funeral of former President Edgar Lungu.
Nakachinda’s responses were measured but firm. He confirmed PF’s willingness to work with other opposition parties, stressed that leadership selection must be driven by mutual respect and maturity, and insisted no issue, including the choice of presidential flag-bearer, should be “too sensitive” to discuss in pursuit of liberation.
The program also veered into sensitive territory. Callers challenged the government’s alleged use of tribal politics, questioned the judiciary’s independence, and condemned double standards in the application of freedoms at home and abroad. Nakachinda defended the right to call out tribalism, linking the political struggle to a “spiritual war” requiring prayer and moral clarity alongside political strategy.
In perhaps his most defiant moment, Nakachinda dismissed threats of incarceration or worse:
_“If they decide to cut us into 100 pieces, each piece will still speak for justice and for the voiceless.”_
The broadcast underscored an emerging consensus among opposition supporters: without a single, credible opposition candidate in 2026, the UPND government will exploit fragmentation to secure re-election. From Sandton, the message resounded across the diaspora and into Zambia’s political bloodstream, unity is no longer a talking point, but a survival strategy.
_Brian Matambo is a media consultant and political pundit currently operating out of Sandton South Africa._
You had all the time in the world to sort your issues out. You chose to insult, lie cause confusion. You reap what you sore. Just like you dodged classes, played around instead of studying, when exam time came, you know what happened to yourself, you failed. It’s the same here.
Nakachinda, most of the key leaders in the so called opposition front, see you as the factor of confusion, because they perceive you as having special personal interests. But you can’t see what I am talking about because you are using defective binoculars
Ba Nakachinda, there is already nothing for the opposition because there is currently no sensible opposition in Zambia. There are only hungry political scavengers at a political rubbish dump site fighting amongst themselves.
When it comes to bad language from politicians, Nakachinda’s name is there. When it comes to lack of civility among politicians, Nakachinda’s name is there. Etc, etc. So what influence can any idea, plan, proposal etc, coming from Nakachinda have on the masses of well meaning Zambians? Zero! This is the problem of Pf or opposition in general, they are many in opposition who put themselves forward as top leaders or presidential aspirants, but truth be said none stands out among them as capable of statesmanship, the style of Mandela, Nkuruma, etc, or just Mazoka or HH. Nobody. Nakachinda is calling for opposition unity but what is he calling for in real, in the eyes of citizens who sufferered Pf brutality, PF violence, Pf plunder of National resources, pf accumulation of huge debt, amidst the suffering of the masses across the country in their time in power? To us Nakachinda is calling for the replacement of the current normalcy under their UPND GOVT with the same terrible ugly things they did while they were in power. All we see is someone organising the pipo or opposition for attainment of such same backward National status of Violence, Plunder, Impunity and economic fallout. We will not allow that. And in Mfuwe, this is the language the pipo are talking about. 2026 no change!
So, well, talk of which opposition leader now and say, this one can lead the opposition to power? They all suffer one thing, they want power to help them enrich themselves. They want to amass wealth. They want power to use it for Tribal segregation, power to foster Nepotism. They want power to tramp upon other tribes in Zambia. Nothing else. They want power so that they can do things with impunity, and Immunity is what they miss most. So who is ready to vote for them with this legacy they created, Nobody.
Today their opponent HH is busy delivering with uncountable Kwenyu’s everywhere but them are talking of Chitumbi politics. If you didn’t get the message in 2021, you will get it harder in 2026
Nakachinda you serve no purpose if this is when you are realising.
Your court cases are coming up and we need to enact laws where convicts need to be barred from public office. We can not have misfits seeking political office.
We have a situation where elections are not a battle of ideas. But people have turned them into insults and gross innuendo spreading.
Public instirutions and public officers have become purse tools of politicans. The rot needs to go..
I thought as proclaimed you guys were the sure alternatives. The lack of confidence being exhibited now is showing us that you are using another standard to measure yourselves. Hence the tension.
In the media, you are so sure the current administration will lose, yet secretly you fear this administrations will win. This is what we read into these flip flopping.
Which is the real position you advocate for. For one Why not start by scoring with the Elections taking place now. Show some back born to stand on and practically show strength.
Otherwise , I am confused about what you are portraying and actually saying publicly and privately. I see fear. while at the same time doing some serious public window dressing.