LUSAKA — A man identifying himself as Patrick Tembo Banda has declared himself the sole authority over the United Party for National Development, halted all internal electoral processes, and issued a fresh appointment to reinforce his claim, escalating a dispute over leadership within the ruling party.
The statement was delivered in a recorded address released on April 4, 2026, in which Banda introduced himself as interim president and positioned his authority as both historical and constitutional. He said his move followed public scrutiny surrounding his earlier declaration and insisted his position remains unchanged.
Banda described himself as the only surviving founding member of the party and claimed authorship of its formation. He said the UPND could not be discussed without reference to his role, asserting that the party was his creation and remains under his authority. He challenged anyone disputing his claim to present themselves as founders, stating none would meet that threshold.
He identified individuals he said formed the original leadership structure, naming Anderson Mazoka as founding president, alongside figures he described as early office bearers including Greyson Ndhlovu, Justin Mweene, and Maxwell Lufungulwa. Banda placed himself within that group, stating the party was anchored on what he termed four pillars and positioning himself as central to that foundation.
Banda said his authority extends to all party activities, declaring that any actions taken outside his approval are invalid. He stated that internal processes currently being circulated, including notices of intra-party elections and a general assembly, were illegal. He directed members to disregard such notices and warned individuals presenting themselves as party leaders to halt their activities pending his authorization.
He framed the directives as binding, stating that instructions issued from the presidency must be treated as authoritative. He added that no general conference or internal election process could proceed without his approval, reinforcing his position that he alone has the mandate to convene such structures.
Banda also addressed backlash linked to his earlier statement, defending its legality and stating it was grounded in the party constitution and his authority as founder. He said he stood by the statement in full and maintained that it did not violate any law, asserting instead that it reflected the law as he interprets it.
The address extended to criticism of actions taken against media institutions that carried his remarks. Banda said journalists had a duty to publish material presented to them and should not be targeted over content disputes. He stated that any legal concerns should be directed at him personally rather than media houses, condemning what he described as intimidation of journalists.
He said the reaction against media platforms was unjustified and called for journalists to be allowed to operate freely. He described them as stakeholders in national development and said they should not face threats in the course of their work.
Banda further disclosed that he had begun forming an interim leadership structure, stating that he had received significant interest from individuals seeking to be part of it. He said he would begin announcing appointments, starting with the position of secretary general.
He named Charles Longwe as interim secretary general, describing the role as central to administrative coordination within the party. The appointment aligns with a separate letter dated April 1, 2026, in which Banda formally assigns Longwe responsibilities including managing party communication, coordinating internal structures, and preparing for electoral processes.
Supporting his claim, Banda has also circulated historical documents, including minutes from a December 7, 1998 executive committee meeting of the UPND. The document records early party leadership structures and outlines resolutions relating to the appointment of Anderson Mazoka as party president, forming part of Banda’s argument that authority flows from the founding framework.
The emergence of both the address and supporting documents introduces competing interpretations of authority within the party, with Banda grounding his claim in historical formation and constitutional positioning while directing present-day operations.
The dispute unfolds as political parties prepare internal structures ahead of the August 13, 2026 general election, where leadership clarity remains central to candidate selection and mobilisation.
Kikikikikikiki! Just what the conventionless ruling party doesn’t need at this hour.
A spanner in the works.
If this isn’t sorted out b4 August, perhaps HH could run under a different party name? The United National Independence Par…sorry that’s been taken. The Gary Nkomboless Party? No, the Kelvin Sampaless party perhaps would appeal more.
Why is it so hard for the UPND to hold a general conference? Political parties behave like they are formed by individuals from the same family.
You don’t support UPND and its none of your business.You never voted for them, they have their own internal processes.Praying for their dowfall will not help.I know a heart of a witch
The perfect caring party showing cracks VIVA VIVA
A challenger must be found now
Go on brave man, all along we have been saying that the man has been on the throne for over 20 years since Mr Mazoka died, how fair that is? And no one has challenged him, we call that democracy? Don’t be fooled people.
Go on brave man, the man has been on the throne for over 20 years since Mr Mazoka died and no one has challenged him. How fair is that? And we call that democracy? Don’t be fooled people.
This is joke LT, what moderation? Come on
We believe IT has been compromised, what a shame
I would like to ask Patrick Tembo Banda to priotise dialogue between the UPND and other political parties. There is just too much unnecessary tension in the country. A platform called the Zambia Center for Interparty Democracy is already in place. As the ruling party, it is your responsibility to set the tone that as political parties you are not enemies but opponents
Also at that interparty meeting you can clarify why opposition political parties cannot canvass or mobilise using rallies when the UPND are doing it. And this is in a country that is supposed to be a democray. The lidaship of the ruling party should have been the first to be asking the Police why opposition are being stopped from having rallies. I hope the new lidaship of the ruling party that has just emerged can correct this and other many undemocratic tendencies
Congratulations to Banda. At your conference as UPND. Please go and talk about solutions to this sick economy. And also go and see the squalor in compounds. Killing PF is not the solution, but finding real solutions to the economic challenges
This Banda seems to have no shame. Mental illness yali kalipa..
Weldone Banda !!! finally some within are realising a sacrifice has to be made to save the party
Spaka Spaka where art thou ????
I see fireworks at the convention we might have an entirely new team more so when you fired’abesu and are busy admitting rejects from that ka party …. convention here we come’, kuyabebele
Dreamers and losers are clapping hands for this lost soul. He is just a nonentity vibrating from his back side and a grouping of thieves smiling
Dreams sometimes come true watch this space A new leader in August ??
How refreshing
Just imagine: no more daily motorcades between C and S houses!
Yeah no more pollution of Zambian skies!
If you believe that the miners returning to work in the same mines that thieves have closed are not content, you are testing your luck excessively. You assume that the recently employed civil servants do not value their positions; however, your aspirations are merely a fantasy. If you think that parents are dissatisfied with free education, you are still in a state of denial—wake up. Villagers are expressing joy with the Constituency Development Fund (CDF). Students are pleased with their meal allowances, which the government has cut, allowing them to keep the funds for themselves. New businesses are emerging in Zambia, and the kwacha is stabilizing. It is essential to learn the distinction between fantasy and reality, sir.
I will dream on! I love dreams. I like Banda
Dreaming is good, however, when your dreams are filled with dullness, that becomes an issue. You may begin to blame your innocent grandmother for casting a spell on you.
You are hiding in Randburg dreaming
Greasy head Musonda lying as usual. Even running away from your own promises. Admit failure and zwaa
If stabilizing the economy to you is failure am not sure where you brain is packed.If growing the GDP from poor performance by the previous government…from -1.8% to 6% by the current government is failure to you wake up.If opening the mines which your friends closed is failure,go and get your head examined.If employing civil servants and military personnel is failure you might be smoking a lot.Free education is there and meal allowances for our young.Investors are back in Zambia producing batteries and fertilizer which your friends could not do peanut brain
@Nakubega possibly a Congolese from the forest
joke April 01 fools day