Chawama MP urges PF leaders to avoid solo presidential bids

Newly elected Chawama Member of Parliament Bright Nundwe (Tonse/FDD) says voters do not want to see presidential candidates from the Patriotic Front, Given Lubinda, Makebi Zulu and Brian Mundubile, standing independently of each other in the August 2026 general elections.

Nundwe made the remarks in an interview with Daily Revelation on Wednesday, where he stated that PF members did not want to see their leaders go into the August 13 election with split votes. He said the situation was linked to ongoing infighting among PF leaders and stressed that unity is essential.

He said his message was rooted in what residents were telling him, adding that people were paying attention to how political leaders were positioning themselves ahead of the elections. Nundwe said he had remained hopeful that the ongoing infighting was going to be resolved among PF leaders, but added that he was not sure the disputes would be settled.

Nundwe also spoke from the perspective of his own constituency, describing the concerns of residents and what they want addressed. He said he is “just an MP for Chawama constituency” and that he has heard people raise issues linked to development and service delivery. He said he wants leaders to work together in harmony and that unity was the best route to avoid confusion and division.

In the same interview, Nundwe addressed commentary questioning his ties to the constituency. He said claims that he did not reside in Chawama were laughable. He stated that he was a resident of Chawama, was born in Chawama constituency, and that he had lived there from Grade Seven up to that point. He rejected claims that he lives in Rufunsa, saying he has no petty issues and does not want to take part in petty disputes.

He said political work should not be reduced to what he described as petty talk, emphasising that his focus is on the concerns of residents and what the constituency needs. He said people should concentrate on what will improve communities and should not be distracted by accusations and rumours about where individuals live.

Nundwe also spoke about the need for unity beyond Chawama. He stated that he wants people to be trading freely in the country and repeated his view that unity should matter across constituencies. He said Chawama must coexist in the constituency, regardless of their tribe, and framed that as a broader national message.

He also raised local development issues that he said residents care about, including water. Nundwe said he wanted to look at the issue of security in the constituency and also spoke about the construction of the police post, saying there was a construction that had almost been done. He said the matter needed attention.

Nundwe further described what he said were practical opportunities in the area, referring to a water feature and development potential. He referenced the Blue Water dam and described it as a feature that could support activities such as irrigation, boat cruising, and other related activities. He said those were among the things people talk about when discussing development possibilities.

He also spoke about how he wants to approach development in a way that supports investors and local opportunity, while pointing to what he described as unfortunate conditions related to water and development needs.

The remarks were made as Zambia approaches the 2026 general elections and as political parties and leaders weigh campaign strategies. Nundwe’s statement placed emphasis on unity, leadership coordination, and constituency priorities, while also pushing back against what he described as distractions that do not address residents’ needs.