Why Zambia’s Opposition Are Their Own Worst Enemies & Why HH Will Win 2026 in a Landslide
By Magret Mwanza
In every democracy, the strength of the opposition determines the strength of accountability, the vibrancy of debate, and the pace of national progress. Unfortunately, in Zambia, the opposition has become its own worst enemy.
As Thomas Sipalo rightly observed, the biggest obstacle to the opposition is not President Hakainde Hichilema or the UPND government, it is the opposition itself.
The United Kwacha Alliance, which once promised to be a credible alternative to the ruling party, has disintegrated into a circus of egos and self-serving ambitions.
Every senior figure wants to be the torchbearer, every voice wants to lead, and none is willing to be led. The result is chaos disguised as politics and selfishness masquerading as strategy. The same greed that killed the PF from within has found a new home in the opposition bloc. What we are witnessing today is not the rise of a united political front but a congregation of frustrated politicians clinging to the illusion of relevance.
They speak of unity but practice division; they preach change but embody the same corruption, tribalism, and arrogance that the people rejected in 2021.
When the Tonse Alliance was formed, it was sold as a coalition of hope, a fresh start for Zambia. But today, the so-called alliances and opposition pacts are merely rebranded political shells carrying the same toxic cargo: greed, entitlement, and self-interest.
These leaders have learned nothing from history. They are more interested in who becomes the presidential candidate than in what Zambia needs to move forward. The tragedy of Zambia’s opposition is not lack of talent or resources.
It is the lack of discipline, humility, and vision. Every opposition leader behaves as if they were born to be president, not realizing that leadership is not seized through noise but earned through service and sacrifice.
While the opposition fights over who sits at the head of the table, President Hakainde Hichilema is quietly strengthening his political machinery, stabilizing the economy, and positioning the UPND for another term.
His government may not be perfect, but compared to the chaos within the opposition, HH represents stability, continuity, and predictability, three factors that voters value most in uncertain times.
The opposition has given HH a gift wrapped in arrogance and disunity: a clear path to victory in 2026. The UPND doesn’t even need to campaign aggressively; the opposition’s endless infighting and leadership confusion will do the job for them.Zambians are watching, and they are not impressed by political clowns who cannot even agree on who should lead their so-called “alliance.”
It is alarming that with only months before the next elections, no single opposition leader has shown the maturity to rally others under one banner. Instead, every politician is a self-proclaimed “Messiah.” They hold endless meetings, issue empty press statements, and trade insults among themselves while citizens are left wondering who among them truly represents a credible alternative.
Greed has become the bloodstream of Zambia’s opposition politics. Positions are valued more than purpose, and photo opportunities are mistaken for strategy. The people can see through it. No one will vote for a disorganized opposition that cannot govern itself yet claims it can govern a nation.
Unless a miracle happens, and miracles are rare in politics, the 2026 elections are already decided, HH will.
I do wonder if what is happening to the Patriotic Front happened to the UPND while they were in Opposition.
Where Renegades are allowed and supported to have an Illegal UPND Conference.. with full state protection.
Where the Registrar of Societies recognizes this Illegal Conference and replaces Hakainde Hichilema as President of the UPND, with a version of Robert Chabinga.
Where one of these Renegades is recognized as Leader of the Opposition by Speaker Matibini replacing Jack Mwiimbu or Cornelius Mweetwa.
Where the offices of the UPND are locked up by renegades, under the Protection of the Zambia Police.
What would honestly happen in Zambia if what is happening to the Patriotic Front happened to the UPND. I shudder to even contemplate.
There would be no Zambia. We could be worse than GAZA.
I thank the Patriotic Front for their Restraint.
But the Party has now reached a critical point..
It’s time to look at the the hundreds of Patriotic Front Officials who are in government serving the country as MPs, Councilors, Mayors and Council Chair persons..who Mr Hakainde Hichilema is prepared to obliterate.
Look at the general membership spread through out the country who believe in your vision for Zambia..and look at the Citizens who believe in Multi Party Democracy and the freedom of Choice.. which again Mr Hakainde Hichilema wants to destroy.
Don’t look to the Courts, For they are full with Mr Hakainde Hichilema ‘s goal Keepers.
Find a Platform for Your vision…It is not in Tonse Alliance. Sean Tembo, KBF are after your Structures, and Members.You are being faced with greed, Opportunism, and Scavenging..Once the Special purpose Vehicle lands on ZMP or FDD, the Patriotic Front is dead.
It’s time to show selflessness, sacrifice and resolve.
Grab the bull by the horns..Yes some will cross to the other side. But the core membership is with you. Form a platform. It’s not too late.
You are too big to fail.
Ba Nkuku Man, don’t blame UPND for the chaos in PF. By the way, PF tried very hard to obliterate UPND. Remember the defection of Mr. Charles Kakoma, the then vice president of UPND. He defected to PF at the last hour. How about the incarceration of HH for 127 days on trumped up charges of treason for a traffic offence (he wasn’t even the driver). Mr. Lungu never suffered jail or even arrest.
PF also destroyed MMD through Mr. Mutati and Nakachinda by sowing chaos. So PF are not saints. They equally played dirty.
The opposition donot need to unite. In the last elections in 2021, it was a two horse race between UPND and PF. Between them, they probably accounted for 95% of the vote. And the next elections will be a two horse race again between the same contenders.
Unfortunately, PF squandered the chance to rebrand and shed their notorious image by clinging on to Mr. Lungu and the old leadership which was responsible for their resounding defeat. You have baggage like Mrs. Mumbi Phiri still singing and dreaming about the Bemba/Easterner power block when the country has moved on and rejected regional politics.
Another mistake is that the Lungu family has been lifted to a dynasty. Instead of moving on and holding a convention to elect legitimate leaders, the PF are busy consulting the family of the dead former president on the next move. The simple reality is that the influence of the Lungu family ceased with the demise of Mr. Lungu, unless of course they still hold the purse strings (aba kasaka ka ndalama).
The small insignificant parties want to worm their way into alliances so that they get some stature and recognition. Look at Mr. Sean Tembo’s PeP or Mr. Msoni’s whatever party or Mr. Dan Pule’s party. On their own they fade into oblivion but when they ride on PF’s coat tails, they stir up quite a big wave and get noticed.
PF should not waste time seeking alliances but strike it out on their own. Alliances are difficult from a practical governance view. The Socialist Party and Citizens First have done the right thing to stay out of alliances and focus on growing their individual parties. In 2031, one of them will be a force to reckon with and might even overtake PF as the major opposition party.
At this rate, PF is an endangered species. It is being consumed by its inherent evil.
Well put. However, what you are asking PF to do, they can’t do. They are corrupt, lawless and arrogant bunch that believe they deserve power. As the article well describes, greed, arrogance and selfishness are their hallmarks. They have no vision for the country and its continued development. They never did, they were busy stealing for self and believe vilifying HH, promoting tribal hate are sufficient to get them back in power.
They are imploding because they are selfish, greedy thieves that have no moral standing, no principled offering for the people of Zambia. How can that behavior survive in an alliance?