The decision by Patriotic Front (PF) acting president Given Lubinda to expel Members of Parliament who supported Constitution Amendment Bill No. 7 has drawn criticism from within the opposition ranks, with party member and legal practitioner Brian Nyirenda describing the move as evidence of failed leadership and deepening disunity.
Nyirenda said the expulsions demonstrated an inability to manage internal disagreement through dialogue and consensus-building, particularly at a time when the party is grappling with unresolved leadership disputes and declining cohesion. In his assessment, the decision has compounded existing fractures within the former ruling party rather than restoring discipline.
He argued that political parties are broad-based institutions that must accommodate divergent views, especially on matters of national importance such as constitutional amendments. Expelling MPs for voting according to conscience or interpretation of national interest, he said, risks reducing the party to a narrow faction rather than a viable alternative government.
The expulsions followed the passage of Bill 7 in the National Assembly, a vote that split opposition ranks and triggered sharp reactions within PF structures. Several MPs who supported the Bill were labelled rebels by party leadership and subsequently expelled, a move that has since sparked legal, political, and procedural debate.
Nyirenda said the expulsions ignored the complex legal and political environment surrounding PF’s leadership. With ongoing disputes over who holds legitimate authority within the party, he said decisions of such magnitude are likely to be contested and may lack enforceability.
He noted that party discipline must be exercised within a clear constitutional and organisational framework. Where leadership legitimacy is contested, he said, punitive measures risk being viewed as selective or politically motivated rather than corrective.
The criticism adds to broader concerns about PF’s ability to regroup after losing power. Analysts and party insiders have observed that internal divisions, leadership wrangles, and inconsistent messaging have weakened the party’s capacity to present a coherent opposition platform.
Nyirenda said the expulsions have also had unintended political consequences. By pushing out sitting MPs, he argued, the party risks shrinking its parliamentary footprint and surrendering political ground at a time when strategic rebuilding is required.
He further warned that the move could discourage internal debate and stifle dissenting voices, creating a culture of fear rather than accountability. Healthy political parties, he said, thrive on debate and internal democracy, particularly when navigating contentious national issues.
Supporters of the expulsions have defended the decision as necessary to enforce party discipline and uphold collective positions. They argue that allowing MPs to defy party resolutions weakens organisational coherence and confuses the electorate.
However, critics counter that discipline imposed without legitimacy or broad consultation can accelerate fragmentation. They point to the absence of a unified leadership structure and unresolved court matters as factors that complicate enforcement of disciplinary decisions.
The controversy has unfolded against a broader backdrop of political realignment following the enactment of Bill 7. Several expelled MPs have been publicly welcomed by the ruling party, further intensifying perceptions that the expulsions may have strengthened rivals rather than consolidating opposition ranks.
Nyirenda said the PF faces a critical choice between introspection and continued internal conflict. In his view, rebuilding credibility requires inclusive leadership, transparent decision-making, and a willingness to accommodate differing views within the party’s constitutional framework.
He maintained that expelling MPs at a time of organisational weakness sends the wrong signal to supporters and undermines efforts to restore unity. Without a coherent strategy for reconciliation, he warned, the party risks further marginalisation ahead of future electoral contests.
Well analysed argument, but in Chinyanja “tsiku lakufa nyani ndi mtengo wa minga umatelera” (when the day for a baboon to die, even a tree with rough back becomes slippery), or in Cibemba, “ubushiku usheme necimbala ciloca” (the day you are unlucky, even leftovers burn your fingers). PF is heading for extinction like other political parties before it.
May their woes, disunity and political oblivion continue . Karma is real .this rogue PF party left Zambia in dire situation economically.