President Hakainde Hichilema has told Patriotic Front (PF) members defecting to the ruling United Party for National Development (UPND) that the opposition has no viable path to victory in the upcoming elections under the current legal framework shaped by Bill 7.
According to News Diggers, Hichilema made the remarks while receiving PF members who had crossed over to the UPND, using the moment to frame the political landscape ahead of the next polls. His message placed Bill 7 at the centre of that outlook, linking it directly to how electoral competition is expected to unfold.
In the address, the President indicated that without Bill 7, the PF could have had a chance to win. He then pointed to the current situation, stating that under the existing framework, the opposition would not secure victory in the elections ahead. The remarks were delivered as part of a broader effort to persuade those leaving the PF to fully align themselves with the ruling party.
The statement reflects a shift toward forward-looking political positioning, with Hichilema focusing on what lies ahead rather than revisiting past election outcomes. His reference to Bill 7 was presented not as a technical explanation of the law, but as a political factor shaping the environment in which parties will compete.
The remarks come at a time when defections from the PF to the UPND have become more visible. The President addressed those joining his party as part of that movement, encouraging them to reconsider their political footing and to view the UPND as the platform aligned with the direction of the country.
In the same engagement, Hichilema urged PF members to reflect on their continued association with the opposition, suggesting that remaining within that structure would not yield electoral success. He framed the UPND as the party positioned to lead under the prevailing political conditions, reinforcing that message through reference to Bill 7.
The report presents the remarks as part of an ongoing pattern of political mobilisation, where the ruling party is consolidating support while the opposition faces internal shifts. The movement of members between parties has become a visible feature of the current political environment as the country approaches the next election cycle.
Hichilema’s use of Bill 7 in his remarks places the legislation within the broader political contest. While the extract does not detail the provisions of the Bill, the President’s framing positions it as a factor influencing electoral competitiveness and shaping the strategic calculations of political actors.
The address also highlights the role of messaging in the current phase of political activity. By linking legislative developments to electoral outcomes, Hichilema presents a narrative aimed at reinforcing confidence among supporters while attracting new entrants from the opposition.
The context in which the remarks were made reflects an active political period, where parties are not only preparing organisationally but also engaging in public communication aimed at defining the terms of the upcoming contest. Statements directed at defectors form part of that process, serving both as reassurance and as recruitment messaging.
The continued movement of PF members toward the UPND adds another dimension to the evolving political landscape. Each defection carries symbolic and practical implications, contributing to the shifting balance of support as the election approaches.
At the time of reporting, the President’s remarks stood as a direct statement linking Bill 7 to the electoral prospects of competing parties. The message, delivered to those leaving the PF, placed emphasis on the perceived advantage held by the UPND within the current framework as political activity intensifies ahead of the polls.
He has rigged the elections and is proud to announce that everything is fixed
Koma niba president aba! Rigging election and proud about it.
At least Morocco didn’t admit how they oiled all CAF structures to steal Senegal’s trophy. They just allowed the corrupt system to work.
As the americans would say: He said the quiet part out loud
This story is made up and clearly not true.
This newspaper (LT) now just specialises in publishing untruths.
Would you care to tell us which specific defecting members he told such a thing?
If such conversations took place it should not be hard to corroborate, yet you provide no confirmation or corroboration.
That is not what he said. Cooked up story
What ever he said is his right
The fact is he is out of his depth and a challenger needs to come forward
It seems one challenger has joined UPND and the other one has been arrested
this is a misrepresentation of what he said and a manipulation of words to frame a different narrative………..
Be carful , you will be found wanting…..
FWD2041
I did not listen to his speech. Did he truly say that?
Check other sites. They confirm he said so.
We always new bill 7 had nothing to do with governance but was merely introduced to advantage the ruling party. Now it has come from the horses mouth directly.
BM #2026 …..
If this was said by the President then its unfortunate because we thought Bill 7 was about inclusiveness and constitution rights.
About those defecting, it really exposes their motives for joining politics, it’s always about them and not about the people who voted for them.
Zambian media (LT inclusive) are not capable of objectively interpreting what HH mearnt with that Bill 7 comment.
They are too good in interpreting and publishing GOSSIPS.
Therefore, believe or trust the above content at your own risk, AND unless you are too shallow to put things in context.
Why don’t you leave that kind of denunciation to Hamasaka. It’s what he’s paid for but you and Spaka feel the need to outgun him in shielding the president. Why?
Lusaka Times should learn not to publish opinion as news because it’s misleading. Bill 7 was perceived from two angles. Sata and ECL used the same delimitation act to create more districts and Muchinga province. It was perceived as equity development and decentralisation agenda then. But because HH pushed for constituencies at the time the opposition is struggling PF now sees the same exercise as a political gimmick to rig elections.