Will PF survive the storm of its own leadership storm?
A KBN TV EDITORIAL
UPND Alliance Chairperson Charles Milupi has thrown a sharp arrow into the heart of the Patriotic Front (PF), warning that the party will disintegrate once it chooses a leader. His remark should not be dismissed lightly, especially when the PF stands at a crossroads.
But will the PF truly collapse? Let us ask the hard questions.
1. Is PF united enough to survive a convention?
The PF today is not the PF of 2011 or even 2016. It is fractured, riddled with mistrust, and heavily bruised from its 2021 electoral defeat. Can such a party truly hold a convention without tearing itself apart?
2. What about the ‘three days before elections’ theory?
Mumbi Phiri suggests that PF could hold a convention just three days before the general election and still win. But is that realistic, or is it wishful nostalgia for the days when PF could rally masses at short notice? Can the current PF, battered by internal squabbles, survive such a gamble?
3. Will Makebi Zulu’s rumored presidential ambitions deepen the cracks?
Strong whispers are circulating that lawyer and MP Makebi Zulu is positioning himself for the presidency. Will his bid unify or further polarize the party? How will older heavyweights—such as Brian Mundubile, Given Lubinda, or Chanda Katotobwe—react to being outflanked by a younger contender?
4. Can PF manage the generational clash?
There is a visible tension between the “old guard” who feel entitled to lead and the younger generation that believes the PF must rebrand. Will this generational tug-of-war explode once nominations open?
5. What role will Edgar Lungu’s legacy play?
Although former President Lungu has stepped aside, his shadow looms large. Will the PF move on from him, or will loyalty to his legacy become a stumbling block for new leadership?
6. Can PF overcome its image problem?
The party is still associated with corruption scandals, economic mismanagement, and political violence in the eyes of many Zambians. Can any leader—whether Makebi Zulu or anyone else—convincingly rebuild trust before 2026?
7. Is Milupi’s prophecy of disintegration inevitable?
Will PF surprise everyone by emerging stronger after its leadership contest, or will it confirm Milupi’s prediction and scatter into factions and splinter parties?
The Final Question
The PF stands before a storm. Its convention—whether held tomorrow or three days before the 2026 polls—will not just be about choosing a leader. It will be about deciding whether the PF remains a political force or becomes a cautionary tale in Zambian politics.
So, the question we must all ask is simple: Will PF survive the storm of its own making?
Frankly speaking whether you like it or not there is no PF. It’s only there nominal. PF died in August 2021 . PF leadership failed to Rembrandt PF. They kept on playing games to date. Nothing has happened in PF apart fu there situation getting worse. If PF is serious let them start preparing for ,2031 and not 2026 because they have missed the train ! The one year remaining is just too short to change anything. HH and UPND have already cemented the ground. The achievements they have scored are just too numerous. The list is so long that it’s needless to tabulate. PF was supposed to replace Edgar the time he announced his retirement. A new person maybe would have cause an impact.and new leader would have build his/ her image by now. The biggest problem PF never thought they could lose election so they were simply not ready to be in opposition.
Ba KBN, the answers to all the questions is in negativity. PF is not used to democracy that’s why someone who really knows is suggesting that the convention be done three days before election day.But the holding of convention in the very eleventh hour can be extremely dangerous owing to the fact that Zambia is so vast.Their new candidate may not be known in many parts of Zambia especially far flung areas.The PF is not united and there is a lot of ” muzungu ani konde” meaning boot leaking.We saw this on how they failed to tell late ECL the truth concerning Presidential bid failure.Makebi may not be suitable, the suspected involvement of his young brother in murder case of late IBA boss may be used to decampaign him even if crime case of an individual is not transferable or can not be shared particularly when one did not participate in the crime.And the old timers of the party may be jealous for the younger Makebi.The Lungu legacy is neither here nor there and it won’t work in any way.The endless mourning has worsened the situation making that loss sympathy to die off.The narrative of “he pointed at me” before he died is worthless now.And may cause differences with some ambitious fellows.The image of PF is seriously tainted and it is difficult to correct.The behaviour of some of the political players in that party is none repentant.The formation of TONSE and alliance of, showed no specific authority carrier and responsibility holder.Some statement were heard suggesting it must be a PF member to lead.Tembo was seen being removed or stopped from issuing statements.Minister Milupi’s observations and prediction are correct by hundred percent.Dr Kaunda once told MMD “you will fight each other young men” and true to the point we later so that when President Chiluba came with third term bid.PF is destined for that too.Some PF Presidential hopefuls are still hibanating, but they will soon come out and that will be the beginning of who is who in PF.The court cases are not ironed out apparently.The UPND is likely to even get support from the would be disappointed Presidential candidates and win that election without putting much effort.It will be like football match where the other team has no goal keeper.The announcement of the winner of that election won’t even delay.
The person who founded PF is not even mentioned in any serious matters. The reason is because PF was Sata and his friend Scott. The rest were just numbers to win the elections Sata knew including the entire current PF leadership that they had nothing to offer apart from riding on Sata’s back. When Sata died it was sangwapo to which Lungu using his imingalato beat everyone. It was not a coincident that Zambia’s economy was collapsed. It was by design, and the playfulness of Lungu and the ulya mwibala syndrome was to tell all his ministers that they were free to do as they wished. That is the reason PF prays for Lungu’s leadership. At the moment there is no one with big pockets to buy others. So the idea of having a convention is far fetched. It will never happen, people should have listened to KBF. You all know that he and Tutwa played a big role in having Lungu chosen. He can’t organise again for another person because he also wants to be PF president. They are all dreaming of becoming rich in a very short time like Lungu. No one in the gang wants to serve.
Oooooh yes this thought maybe there I think so too, I think the guys in SA are planning to have Makebi as president and Tasila as running mate. Eishi PF (Pa Fwaka) is in trouble.
PF has never known democracy and it is very difficult to rebrand. They can’t have followers. Just check how they have handled ECL funeral, always by force; their conversation last time was split and went on by force; ECL was overpowered by cadres on markets, bus stops and stations and they grabbed part of luanshya mines; they insult and are in trouble in courts with hate speech. Instead of learning from it, they now to embassies to explain insults why me does like it is food. Look at Miles, he grabbed power by force!
That kind of politics is what made them loose and nothing has changed. They believe that the current hardships are reasons why people can vote for them. Th economy was badly messed up by them to an extent it is proving difficult to deal with – 14.5B USD debt; high prices of mealie meal at 250; dollar at 23; missed paying the debt repayment; retirees not paid and no employment hope, no meal allowance and mines closing down. Every cadre stealing as they wished and insults flying and killings….No, the 2.8 that voted them out have not forgotten. The numbers have not reduced. Instead, to the contrary, the 1.8 has reduced. Keep on wishing them well for they need prayers. Current saga to play with a corpse of a famous person because they hate one man has not won them friends other than the same heart hardened 1.8 m. God had hardened the Pharaohs, could it be what is happening even now? We shall continue to pray them.