Tuesday, October 15, 2024

Lungu Seeks Redemption, “We will govern better, learning from the past mistakes.”

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Lungu Seeks Redemption, “We will govern better, learning from the past mistakes.”

Former Zambian President Edgar Lungu has made a passionate appeal to the nation, asking Zambians to forgive his past mistakes and grant him a second chance to lead the country. Speaking at a press briefing alongside members of the United Kwacha Alliance (UKA), Lungu reflected on the shortcomings that contributed to his party’s loss in the 2021 general election and expressed a commitment to correct those wrongs if given another opportunity.

Lungu began by acknowledging the key issue that many believe led to the fall of the Patriotic Front (PF) government: caderism. In his remarks, he admitted that the violent behavior of political cadres had alienated voters and caused significant harm to the PF’s image. “The issue of caderism is one of the items identified as needing immediate attention in the new government from 2026 onwards,” Lungu said, adding, “I will stand and say you cannot do this, because this is what brought PF down.”

He went on to explain that he has spent considerable time reflecting on his time in office and is now ready to make amends. “I am not incorrigible. This simply means I can be corrected,” Lungu said. He framed his current role in the UKA as an opportunity to correct the wrongs that occurred during his presidency.

“I am learning from the critics. I will learn from those who criticized us when we were in power, and I will also have a chance to tell them where I believe we went wrong as the PF,” he noted. This new alliance, according to Lungu, offers him the benefit of drawing on both old and new perspectives to ensure a better approach to leadership.

In a candid reflection, Lungu revealed that some of his most ardent critics today are individuals who had supported President Hakainde Hichilema and the UPND. He claimed that these supporters are now coming to him, expressing their disillusionment with Hichilema’s leadership. “The majority of the people who have inspired me to think of coming back are those that worked with UPND and supported HH. They are telling me, ‘We told him not to do this, but look at him now,’” Lungu recounted. He added, “And I told them that power is very tempting.”

Lungu also spoke about the internal challenges that plagued his administration, particularly regarding policy implementation. He noted that during his tenure, not all members of his government were aligned in terms of enforcing policy, which contributed to their eventual defeat. “Apart from caderism, some of these things were happening because I thought everyone was with us on the same page in terms of influencing and effecting policy. But not all,” he said, indicating that if he returned to power, this issue would be handled differently.

Reflecting on the 2021 defeat, Lungu maintained that his administration had been overly confident and perhaps failed to listen closely enough to the public’s concerns. He expressed optimism that working with the UKA would offer a fresh start and help to rebuild the trust that was lost during his presidency.

In conclusion, Lungu reiterated his plea to the Zambian people to give him another chance, not just to redeem himself but to work alongside a new, unified team that is committed to making things better. “So, give me a chance to work with this team, and I can assure you that it’ll be better. Beyond that, I cannot promise anything more, but I can assure you that all these people you see here mean well,” he said, referring to the UKA members who stood with him at the briefing. “And if I was to come back at the helm or as a member of the new team, I can always remind my friends that this is how we lost it.”

As the 2026 elections approach, Lungu’s public appeal signals his intent to return to the political scene, this time with the hope of learning from past mistakes and offering Zambians a new chapter of governance. Whether or not Zambians will embrace this call for a second chance remains to be seen.

56 COMMENTS

  1. A Leopard never changes its spots.. Let him first bring back Nsama Nsama and Joseph Kaunda then we might consider voting for him

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    • Your comment is awaiting moderation

      Why Lungu?Why HH? They are both useless corrupt tribalists. We need some fresh air. We need new leadership! Where are the new generation of leaders hiding? Time to show yourselves is now

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    • Kupusa! These politicians think they have to learn from trial and error while in office! No wonder our country is always in reverse. There’s another one in the office learning while he flies this way and that way wasting our hard earned tax.

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  2. Lungu is playing with fire, if he really thinks he can come back to power after presiding over such a kleptomaniac and tribally bigoted charade in government, he must be joking. Like Laurent Kabila in Congo or Samuel Doe in Liberia, Lungu could end up being shot dead in office! We are really sick and tired of being taken advantage of thieving SoBs whose only reason to aspire for high office is to line their own pockets.

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  3. One of the mistakes you should correct is instead of fencing of a forest in Sinda for your family, you should fence off the whole country

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  4. NJALA brings so much embarrassment. He is seeking for the job that he fired truly by the Zambian taxpayers.
    Why the hell can’t you just go as a lawyer, I heard you made a good one for those days. Maybe you can’t make it this.
    As for state house, none is interested except your little cartel members.

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  5. Changwa Lungu, you have also not apologized for gassing your own citizens. You think the real Zambians have forgotten. I will make you never get elected. I am already mobilizing resources. Get a life.

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  6. You had your time and with these mounting problems don’t you think you are asking for trouble? If I were you I back whoever is the best candidate in your group. But you….takuli, iyai, pepe, never.

  7. ……….

    Lungu is only in this position to fend off corruption charges againstt him and his family……..

    They can’t prove how they became millionaires inunder 5 years………

    Lungus regime was shocking…….from none stop partying to looting reserved land to meeting with criminals at statehouse, to some serious spending sprees of tax payers monies………

    You just don’t have it in you Mr Lungu

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  8. Mr ECL you had your time so just move on and
    Let Zambians decide who they want next.
    Zambians do not like bringing back a leader
    Who had lost an election.Do not listen to your
    Supporters as they are thinking for their belly.

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  9. No. No. And, NO. My fellow Zambians, let’s move on. We have had leaders who have learned and listened on the job. We can get another like that. We made that mistake with this one, and we can make another with a new guy. Let’s just not go back to what we have experienced before. PLEASE. Let’s move forward, and I don’t even mean it as a slogan for the current guys …

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  10. Unfortunately the national clock can’t be turned back. You had your chance, move on! Ni Zambia ya nyoko? Governance is a serious matter that can’t be repeated like a GCE exam. If you spilt your milk go and gather it elsewhere. Please don’t involve us as we’re not interested. Find another way to repay for your misdeeds. You aren’t welcome

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  11. Absolutely and emphatically NOT again Lungu.You thugs got to power and it got into your heads swelling them into arrogance instead of leading with humility.Pride goes before the fall ,so eat your bitter fruits now.

    You inherited a working Zambia and left it a broken ramshackle ,its unforgivable.

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  12. Why Lungu?Why HH? They are both useless corrupt tribalists. We need some fresh air. We need new leadership! Where are the new generation of leaders hiding. Time to show yourselves is now

  13. How do I give Lungu a second chance when he cannot even acknowledge the rampant corruption his government was involved in.
    How can I give Lungu a second chance when he, Lungu cannot acknowledge he ruined the Zambian economy.
    Just to mention but a few…

  14. The alliance has an advantage over the incumbent going into 2026

    However organizing the strongest candidates st ward parliamentary and presidential will even be more victorious

    However also going into 3026 to win it will require an alternative amongst those who may be chosen at a convention early but the former could be weaker against the incumbent

    As it is the current ratings as compared to the ukwa possible selection of candidates is still perceived a better and attractive alternative 3026

    Going into 2026 highly contested and known candidates will require performance record but again the former could give way to s New Presidential candidate with presence and new momentum who will win easily 2026 within the alliance

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    • President Lungu is an alternative person for 2026 presidential elections, he is the only person with vast experience to unseat president HH. Lungu is humble and apologetic with sense of humor realizing from his past mistakes. What defines a good leader is his ability to admit his mistakes: to make a mistake is not wrong but to repeat the mistake. President HH has created a lot of mistakes within a short space time, thus just three years down the line.

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    • E.C.L is a vindictive character who will bring cadres who will even be more vicious than before.E.C.L wants to punish everyone who turned against him in 2021.He is bitterness personified and do not believe his words for he is simply being Machiavellian.

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  15. Get serious and choose candidates that is on ward parliamentary and presidential

    A better and an alternative to the former will easily win the 2026 but the former will have challenges to contest with weaker current on 2026

    The honest observation is that the former will have difficult but could provide leadership and support presidential alliance candidate for 2026

    It’s very possible to win 2026 of well organized and politically strategic but the former will have challenges to marshal but an alternative will easily win it

  16. Lungu Seeks Redemption, “We will govern better, learning from the past mistakes.”
    “We will steal better, learning from the past mistakes.”

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  17. He seems to have learnt a lot from his experiences. So far, everything is showing that he’s a better leader than the incumbent. Many will see him as capable of correcting a lot of things hakainde has messed up. He looks a real prospect. There are rising cases of former Heads of State returning to power, Zuma has shaken ANC and South Africa, Lula Da Silva is back in power, Trump is looking very likely to return, etc

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    • Zambian Citizen = naive and misguided.You don’t reward incompetence,corruption , political thuggery and lethargy with another term.And of course,its why we imprison offenders with time in the cold so they learn from mistakes.

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  18. Let us build Zambia together as Zambians and in order for us to build a better Zambia we don’t need recycled Politicians….once he gets instruments of power then he will become arrogant again and continue destroying our country…as a Diasporan investing in Zambia i need corruption free leadership and a strong Zambian economy…GOOD BUY BWANA LUNGU…IT WAS NICE MEETING YOU…now pack your bags and head back to your village in Petauke and enjoy your retirement

  19. Not this dude again… go way please! He should be in prison by now for all that corruption and looting of national resources. The fact he only highlights cadres as the main reason he lost shows he still doesn’t get it. Your corruption, incompetence, abuse of power, tribalism, chaos, poor economy, load shedding, poverty, etc are some of the worst crimes you committed and those are not just “mistakes” that can easily be forgiven. They are crimes that required you were in jail. Go away please!

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  20. Big man, things should be left behind because they were wrong, not because they cost an election. In other words, if PF had won despite violent criminal cadres, you would have not seen the need to change that. This logic suggests that your interest is in what wins votes and not what is right or wrong. Apology rejected boss. Explain your wealth and that of your family, some of whom are claiming you gifted them with these things. I was your neighbour near Jack compound when you did not even have a fence around your house. I do not like some things happening under the current regime, but you are not the solution bwana. You are the cancer we are treating. When you have a sincere apology and admit that you looted, then maybe we can forgive but not elect.

  21. This is what we call forcing things…Lungu was just an accidental President and Sata made a very big mistake choosing Lungu as his successor….LUNGU PLEASE JUST PACK YOUR KATUNDU AND HEAD BACK TO YOUR VILLAGE IN NYAMPHANDE PETAUKE

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  22. So it looks like this Electricity crisis is affecting the entire African continent….Burundi has run out of fuel and Electricity is only reserved for the Capital city just for Four hours a day….A big lesson for our African leaders…please stop rushing to the IMF or World Bank whenever you have challenges….try to grow Africa’s Economy with African resources within Africa…Bazungu can afford to withstand any drought because they steal enough resources from African Corrupt leaders

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  23. From comment above, it seems the praise singers for upnd are having a blast heyy!!! Africans seem not to learn, right!!! I cannot believe that normal pipo can measure ECL with hh, really guys, no wonder you are where you are economically..damn.. who bitched you folks? hh has no vision

  24. Africans seem not to learn, right!!! I cannot believe that normal pipo can measure ECL with hh, really guys, no wonder you are where you are economically..damn.. who bitched you folks? hh has no vision

  25. Are you going to bring back President SATA whom you neglected like he was not your uncle, by refusing him to have drip before operation and you decided to fly to London and sent his wife to India. What kind of a person are you who takes advantage of the ailing person?
    Mid air we received sad news. You ought to be investigated without fail how you handled the sick uncle of yours.

  26. You did not even win the 2016 election, Chulu never received G12 forms; only he was being fed by figers given by the clinical officer your friend in damage of President Sata whom he fired but was contently at state House and President Sata had complained that fired people where entering State house when he was swearing-in minister of Health; we lost Returning Officer of Kanyama in extremely suspicious manner where he was found hanging! Your coming to what to see more returning Officers die. Sham!

  27. At one time whist at Stat house as President, you said that people love money and when you go to heaven, you are going to bribe an Angel! The people around you laughed in drunken manners. We lost a Pilot in SA who could have seen strange items on the plane. Again your coming back is to kill more pilots! Sham you! Even the Chief Justice must have meet death in as similar manner with the aid of your friend clinical officer being on the plan! Sham You!

  28. Former President Lungu comes across as contrite and humble. On the other hand, President Hichlema appears arrogant and a know it all all. I would be willing to give Lungu a chance, looking at the failed experiment with UPND.

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  29. HH has made himself a god over the lives of Zambians. Selling their food and electricity. Arrogant. No wonder there was no rain in Zambia. How can it rain when you have such kind of people lording themselves over Gods people.

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  30. He is not trying to bounce back into power for us but for himself. They are many Zambians who can do very well in the position President of Zambia. I see no reason why ECL should be recycled. ECL does not believe in paying public workers their terminal benefits. Those still serving as public workers should worry if at all you will be paid anything at the end of your tour of service should ECL come back.

  31. All who are supporting hh above, if we check your tribe we know you are from the south, you chaps you support each other even when you are on a sinking boat kikiiki, ingombe ilede for sure.. villagers, ubututu

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  32. Pipo have both experience between the era of your god hh & ECL and pipo are not fools… i pray that hh will hand over power peacifuly. mmmmm

  33. Pipo have both experience between the era of your god hh & ECL and pipo are not naive… i pray that hh will hand over power peacifuly

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  34. Not exactly sure that Lungu means here. His attempt at honest introspection fell way short. He has not addressed the corruption scandals that point to him. To think one can just apologize for corruption and people move on is preposterous. Before anyone questions this, just consider the K100m worth of gifts to his son. The thought that Lungu will be allowed on another ballot paper is laughable. The law is so self-contradictory that it will be left to the ECZ chair to decide which article to apply. If Lungu is indeed being genuine, why does he find it difficult to rally his support behind someone else? Zambia is not that short of talent at the leadership level that it requires his comeback. Zambian deserve better.

  35. It has taken fur too too long for him to see his mistakes. Which means he is a very, very slow learner if at all he is a leaner. So many people died under his regime in a unexplainable manner. Is he going to wake them up from the dead.
    He does not fit the great now, now Zambian politics which requires sober down to earth leaders. He can not even see that a new benchmark is being created for presidency in Zambia. Dullness and ignorance are not the same, but to some people, it is the order of the day. Well William Shakespeare had the word…..

  36. Dear ECL if you really mean well back someone else look at RB he didn’t bounce back but he commanded a lot of clout..even getting you to concede..did you learn nothing from that?You can play another role in life

  37. This is the problem our leaders have. ECL is surrounded by lackies who were feeding from his ‘misgovernance’. Lungu was largely voted out out of a protest vote against his leaderships. We voted him out and the next person who had any decent shot at the President was HH who is just as bad as Lungu.
    Both have forfeit their right to lead the country in 2026.o
    Also, does ECL have confidence that the ComedyCourt will stand by their three rulings that he is legible to stand for the elections?

  38. ……..

    UKA or who ever has no chance against the incumbent………

    By 2026, rains would have stabilised the electrical power systemsto full capacity……….

    The citizenry are truly affected by load shedding, which coincided with the economic overhaul going on , however…….

    This will not last untill 2026………

    Come 2026, we will have full electrical power, economic fruits ripe, Zambians crying for more of HH…..

    We are here……

    Forwadee 2031……

  39. People would be happy to have cadres back for as long as they have power, affordable mealie meal and fuel. That is all people care about. Unemployment, wage freeze, mass corruption, slaps and threats they can tolerate.

  40. So you are teling as that your policy, when you get a sound chance is to address cadreism issues!!! that’s not what every zambian is interested in!! i don’t think you will do what you just say you will do!!! live others to come in and implement new ideas!! for me he is ridicuously sound like his friend DJ!!!

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