Patriotic Front National Chairperson Musonda Mpankata has declared that the decisions announced by PF Acting President Given Lubinda to remove several senior officials from the Central Committee are invalid, arguing that the party constitution does not grant an acting president the authority to make such changes without ratification. Speaking during a press briefing in Lusaka, Mpankata said he has taken charge of the party in accordance with the constitution as preparations for the PF convention continue.
His remarks follow Lubinda’s announcement on Thursday night, in which the Acting President stated that he had removed Mpankata as National Chairperson, Lundazi Member of Parliament Brenda Nyirenda as Deputy Secretary General, and several provincial leaders including Lusaka Province Chairperson Christopher Shakafuswa. Lubinda’s communication also included broader modifications to party structures ahead of the convention.
Mpankata dismissed the changes and said the constitution does not grant an acting president unilateral powers to reorganise the Central Committee. He said such decisions require the involvement and approval of the party’s National Executive Committee. According to him, Lubinda acted outside the limits of the constitution, a move he described as disruptive at a time when the PF is preparing for a major internal transition.
He accused Lubinda of placing personal ambition ahead of unity and stability. Mpankata said the party is facing a crucial moment at which Zambians are looking for a strong and credible opposition, and leadership actions that create confusion undermine that expectation. He said a leader who alters structures days before a convention risks weakening the organisation and frustrating the membership.
Mpankata argued that the best option for Lubinda would have been to step aside to ensure a fair environment for all candidates participating in the upcoming convention. He said it would be unreasonable for a contestant to preside over changes that affect the conduct of the election while also appearing on the ballot. He added that the PF’s internal rules require fairness and consistency throughout the process.
He said that earlier in the week, six senior NEC members waited for Lubinda to clarify arrangements related to the convention, but instead, they received a notice that the sitting of Executive members had been suspended indefinitely. Mpankata said the suspension added to concerns that the Acting President was acting without collective consultation.
He further stated that the PF needs unity, stability, honesty, transparency and courage as it approaches the convention. He accused Lubinda of promoting drama and division under the guise of administration. Mpankata said he has rejected every announcement made by Lubinda regarding party leadership changes.
He demanded that Lubinda step down so that the National Chairperson can oversee the remaining steps leading to the convention. According to Mpankata, this transition should occur within seven days to avoid further confusion. He assured members that preparations for the convention are underway and will not be disrupted by internal disagreements.
He said a list of delegates will be issued to all contestants, including Lubinda, once verification is complete. Mpankata concluded by stating that the constitutional order of the PF remains intact and that efforts to correct procedural breaches will continue until the party holds a successful convention.
Given Lubinda, as acting President, you superintend party issues. You have every right to institute disciplinary Measures. I like it that you have just dropped these people from the central committee and not fired any one. Though you did not disclose the reasons, it like it that you have mentioned which powers vested in you, you have used. PF should not break apart, these are just normal disciplinary Measures please
The cries of retrenchees, widows, orphans and retirees that spent several cold nights pleading to him to be given what was due to them, but could not be attended to them, are now haunting Lubinda. He’s now like a stray rabid dog. How can a normal person make appointments, and firings of his colleagues three days before the convention? Does he expect others to remain quite and subjective? And lubinda being one of the candidates, if he was actually normal, was not supposed to do such a buffoonery act. For even the frog in the dirty ponds are able to interpret, deduce and conclude lubinda’s personal foolish and greedy egos
Hahaha , all people of pride and arrogance (that’s how PF governed Zambia) eventually lead to self destruction. May their infighting continue.
Surely, what’s good for the goose is good for the gunder. Now, how could it be deemed unreasonable in the PF for a contestant to preside over changes that affect the conduct of the election while also appearing on the ballot when they allowed late Lungu to do so during the last polls he went on to lose miserably? These maggots called PF don’t know fairness or consistency, bona konji feela wa kuinyelakela feela nako kaufela.
Lubinda has just released that he is missing it. His main mission now is to create a buffoonery confusion so that every one should be a lose. Note that the cries of all those who spent several cold nights outside his office are now haunting him.
S
Mr zayelo, don’t you realize that even the frogs in dirty ponds have interpreted, deduced and concluded your buffoonery objectives? No normal buffoon can undertake such unrealistic and foolish acts
Me and my people, non partisan crew are watching everything unfold. We understand political calculus more than the politicians themselves. Every move they make started sometime way before it is done in light. What do you think that Lubinda was abducted, and why? There so me much beyond just infighting. And that’s why there is no opposition in Zambia.
Please ba PF kwantiniu to self cannibalize .
No political party in Zambia’s history has ever come back to political limelight /glory so please continue with your self delusions.
You witnessed nothing yet till upnd is ousted
This is just a small administrative matter for the PF. Its not even a tornado. Disclinary issues dont fall off because the party is heading towards elections. Knowing how level headed Given Lubinda is, i am sure there is no malice here. UPND is even more deeply divided, the divisions are just masked by virtue of being in power
You wish.
Lubinda cannot be stopped from performing his administrative functions because there is an election coming. However, PF should emerge stronger, especially that the dropped people have not been fired and can still contest in the intraparty elections. The way UPND has failed, we surely need another party in government next year
This party has been useless and milling around self-interested individuals pursuing easy money since Sata died. Hopeless to have this paralysis at the time when campaigning should already be proceeding with clear candidates and a strong manifesto. Maybe a candidate can be chosen for 2031, after a few years of individual machinations and backstabbing, those who want to get money from political position will have to get a proper job. Not possible to chew where you have no friends sorry…. Zero chance of election. Making noise about load shedding is not enough to become president of Zambia
Makng noise about loadshedding wont make you president BUT can certainly oust a president
Regardless of noise if there is no candidate then no body will be elected