The Patriotic Front (PF) will hold its long-awaited party convention by April, party official Celestine Mukandila has said, in what the party describes as a decisive step toward resolving prolonged internal uncertainty and restoring organisational order ahead of the 2026 general elections.
Mukandila said the convention would be conducted in line with the party’s constitution and would allow members to regularise leadership structures that have remained unresolved following years of internal disputes. He said the leadership was aware of growing impatience among members and had committed to providing clarity through a formal and lawful process.
The announcement follows sustained pressure from within the PF, where members and senior figures have repeatedly questioned delays in convening the party’s highest decision-making body. Critics within the party have argued that postponements weakened internal democracy and undermined confidence in leadership processes.
Mukandila said preparations for the convention were underway and that structures across the country were being engaged to ensure participation. He said the leadership recognised that the absence of a convention had contributed to uncertainty and that holding it was necessary to stabilise the party.
Since losing power, the PF has experienced internal challenges, including leadership disputes, legal battles, and factional divisions that have affected its ability to operate cohesively. The lack of a convention has been cited as a key factor behind the party’s organisational difficulties, with rival groups contesting authority and legitimacy.
Mukandila said the April timeline was intended to bring finality to these disputes. He said the convention would provide a platform for members to elect leadership and to resolve outstanding organisational issues through established party mechanisms rather than through parallel processes.
The convention is expected to attract significant attention, with leadership positions likely to be contested. Mukandila said the party welcomed competition within constitutional limits and believed that an open process would strengthen legitimacy and unity.
He said the PF remained focused on rebuilding its structures and re-engaging supporters. According to Mukandila, clarity on leadership was essential if the party was to reposition itself as an effective opposition force ahead of the next elections.
The announcement comes at a time when opposition parties are under pressure to demonstrate internal democracy and organisational readiness. Political observers note that prolonged leadership uncertainty can weaken mobilisation and erode public confidence.
Mukandila said the PF was determined to avoid further delays and to conduct the convention within the stated timeframe. He said the party understood that credibility depended on delivering on commitments made to members.
He added that the convention would also allow members to debate policy direction and campaign strategy. He said internal cohesion was critical if the party was to remain competitive in a changing political landscape.
As preparations continue, attention will focus on whether the convention proceeds as scheduled and whether it delivers the stability the party has promised. Mukandila said the leadership was committed to ensuring that the process was orderly, inclusive, and compliant with party rules.
The outcome of the convention is expected to shape the PF’s direction as it navigates the period leading up to the 2026 general elections.
Please LT enough with Politics…try to find much better news than the PF nonsense
PF please soldier on, they have destabilised you and they are smiling. How i wish the parties that dont have followers can disband and join you, i mean parties like PAC, PEP,Heritage, Economic front, Zambia must prosper, NCP, the real MMD,ULP,NDC,SP, Zambia we want,ZAWAPA and the other non existent ones
Mukandila, why delay the convention up to unknown date in in April? Is it the resolution of lubinda and mukandila? Yesterday mundubile a prominent member, questioned and complained over the delay of the convention. Now to day, a policy statement regarding the when the convention would take place. The question is, which members convened to make such a decision? I presume it was was only lubinda and mukandila.This is a total confusion of highest degree. Very few members will respect this undemocratic decision.
PF are you really serious??????
Well why don’t you just hold it the night before the general elections??? You will certainly wake up next day feeling better within yourselves – ready for the “next” elections!! ?? 2026 or 2031 – certainly both general elections will still be in the future to your party convention – so it is ok!!!