Given Lubinda has confirmed that the Patriotic Front will contest upcoming elections under a different name, citing ongoing legal constraints affecting the party’s registration and identity.

Speaking on the party’s preparedness for future polls, Lubinda said the decision to adopt an alternative name is a strategic measure intended to ensure continued participation in the electoral process. He said the move does not alter the party’s political identity, organisational structure, or membership base.

Lubinda said the Patriotic Front remains intact politically and organisationally, despite challenges surrounding its official name. He said party structures across the country continue to function and that preparations for electoral participation are underway, including internal consultations on the new name and associated arrangements.

He said the decision reflects the party’s determination to remain competitive and visible within Zambia’s political landscape. According to Lubinda, legal hurdles should not be allowed to exclude a significant political formation from the democratic process, and the party has therefore opted for a practical solution that keeps it on the ballot.

Lubinda said the alternative name under which the party will contest elections will be agreed through internal processes and announced within set timelines. He said the party is working to conclude these arrangements before key electoral milestones, including candidate selection and campaign planning.

The PF leader said the move should not be misunderstood as a dissolution or weakening of the party. He said members and supporters remain aligned under the same political values and objectives, and that the name change is limited to electoral participation requirements.

Lubinda said political parties have, in various jurisdictions, adopted similar approaches when confronted with legal or administrative barriers. He said such strategies are meant to safeguard political participation rather than undermine party identity.

The announcement comes amid a broader reconfiguration within the opposition, where parties are assessing legal standing, alliance options, and electoral strategies ahead of the next general election. Lubinda said PF’s focus remains on mobilising support and articulating policy positions that resonate with voters.

He said the party’s decision also reflects confidence in its support base, noting that political loyalty and organisational strength are not dependent on a single label. He said PF supporters understand the circumstances and remain committed to the party’s leadership and direction.

Lubinda said PF’s intention to contest elections under a different name should be viewed within the context of safeguarding democratic choice. He said excluding parties from electoral participation through procedural constraints risks narrowing political competition and undermining pluralism.

He said the party will continue to engage relevant electoral institutions to ensure compliance with legal requirements governing participation. He said PF remains committed to operating within the law while protecting its right to contest elections.

Lubinda said discussions are ongoing within party structures regarding branding, symbols, and campaign messaging associated with the alternative name. He said these decisions will be communicated clearly to members and the electorate once finalised.

The PF leader said the party’s immediate priority is organisational readiness, including candidate selection, mobilisation, and policy messaging. He said the party remains focused on presenting itself as a viable alternative capable of addressing national challenges.

He said PF’s continued participation in elections, regardless of name, demonstrates resilience and commitment to democratic engagement. He said the party intends to remain active within the political arena and to pursue its objectives through lawful and peaceful means.

Lubinda said further details regarding the alternative name and electoral arrangements will be announced in due course. He said the party will keep its members informed as preparations progress.

Transparency International Zambia has called on the Livingstone mayor to consider resigning on moral grounds, stating that ethical leadership requires standards that extend beyond compliance with legal outcomes.

In a statement, the organisation said public office carries moral authority and that leaders are expected to uphold public confidence even when legal proceedings do not result in removal from office. TIZ said continued occupancy of office under sustained ethical scrutiny risks weakening trust in local governance institutions.

The organisation stressed that resignation on moral grounds should not be interpreted as an admission of guilt. It said such decisions are often taken to protect institutional integrity and to ensure that public confidence in governance structures is preserved. According to TIZ, ethical accountability is a cornerstone of democratic leadership.

TIZ said legality and morality serve different functions in public life. While the law establishes minimum thresholds for holding office, ethics require leaders to consider the broader implications of their conduct on public trust. The organisation said moral responsibility often demands higher standards than those enforced through courts.

The organisation noted that local government leaders play a direct role in service delivery and community administration. It said public confidence in municipal leadership is essential for effective governance and that prolonged controversy surrounding an office holder can disrupt institutional stability.

TIZ said leadership credibility is not measured solely by legal outcomes but by the confidence citizens place in those entrusted with authority. It said when ethical questions persist, leaders are expected to act in ways that prioritise public interest over personal position.

The organisation said democratic systems rely on leaders who recognise when personal decisions are required to safeguard institutions. It said stepping aside on moral grounds has precedent in democratic governance and is often used to allow institutions to function without distraction.

TIZ said the situation in Livingstone has attracted public attention and discussion, placing the office of mayor under sustained scrutiny. It said such circumstances require reflection on whether continued occupancy of office serves the broader interests of the community and local administration.

The organisation said ethical leadership strengthens democracy by reinforcing accountability and transparency. It said decisions guided by integrity contribute to restoring confidence in public institutions and demonstrate respect for the electorate.

TIZ reiterated that its position is consistent with its broader advocacy for good governance, integrity, and accountability across all levels of public service. It said the organisation remains committed to engaging leaders and institutions on governance standards that promote public trust.

The organisation said public officials should weigh the long-term impact of their decisions on institutional credibility. It said leadership choices made during periods of scrutiny often define how institutions are perceived and remembered.

TIZ said its statement was intended to contribute to public discourse on ethical leadership and to encourage public officials to place institutional integrity above individual office. It said moral accountability remains central to sustaining confidence in democratic governance.

The United Party for National Development has confirmed that President Hakainde Hichilema will finance his 2026 re-election campaign using local resources, with the clarification issued by Cornelius Mweetwa, who serves as both UPND and Government spokesperson.

Mweetwa said the President’s political and economic interests are firmly rooted within Zambia and that there is no basis for claims suggesting that the campaign would rely on foreign funding. He said the President has invested extensively in the country over many years and continues to demonstrate confidence in Zambia’s economic capacity.

He stated that the decision to fund the campaign locally reflects the governing party’s long-standing emphasis on domestic investment and national ownership of economic activity. According to Mweetwa, the President’s approach to campaign financing mirrors the principles the administration has promoted in public policy since assuming office.

The clarification comes amid growing public discussion around campaign financing as political parties begin positioning themselves ahead of the 2026 general election. Campaign funding has historically been a contentious issue in Zambia, often attracting scrutiny from opposition parties and civil society organisations concerned about transparency, sources of funds, and the influence of money on electoral outcomes.

Mweetwa said speculation around foreign funding tends to surface during election cycles and described the current claims as part of a familiar pattern. He said the President’s record shows sustained commitment to local investment and economic participation, making external campaign financing unnecessary.

He said funding a political campaign through domestic resources strengthens accountability to voters and reinforces the principle that political leadership should be sustained by the confidence and support of citizens. Mweetwa said political legitimacy is enhanced when campaign resources are drawn from within the country rather than external interests.

The UPND spokesperson also addressed concerns that often arise around the use of state resources during election periods. He said party activities and government operations remain distinct and that the ruling party is mindful of the legal and ethical boundaries governing campaign conduct. He said the party would continue to comply with all electoral and financial regulations applicable to campaign financing.

Mweetwa said the ruling party’s position on campaign funding aligns with the administration’s broader economic narrative, which has prioritised local production, domestic investment, and fiscal responsibility. He said the government has consistently encouraged Zambians to invest in their own economy and that political actors should reflect the same confidence in local capacity.

The issue of campaign funding has featured prominently in Zambia’s political history, with past elections marked by disputes over spending levels, funding sources, and alleged misuse of resources. Against this backdrop, statements on campaign financing tend to attract heightened attention from both supporters and critics.

Mweetwa said the President’s decision to rely on local resources also reflects trust in the Zambian electorate. He said political support should extend beyond casting ballots to include voluntary participation in lawful political activities, including fundraising efforts conducted in accordance with the law.

He added that the ruling party views transparency as essential in maintaining public trust during the electoral process. He said clarity on funding sources helps reduce suspicion and speculation while allowing voters to focus on policy choices and leadership records.

As preparations for the 2026 elections gradually intensify, campaign financing is expected to remain a recurring theme in political discourse. Parties across the political spectrum are likely to face questions regarding how they intend to resource their campaigns and the safeguards they have in place to ensure compliance with the law.

For the UPND, Mweetwa said the position is straightforward. He said President Hichilema’s campaign will be financed from within Zambia, consistent with the party’s stated principles and the administration’s emphasis on national ownership and economic self-reliance.

He said the ruling party remains focused on governance and service delivery, while recognising that electoral processes require openness and accountability. Mweetwa said clarity on campaign financing is part of that responsibility as the country moves closer to the next general election.

By Brian Matambo | February 5, 2026

Harry Kalaba has accused the Patriotic Front of undermining opposition unity through what he described as an insistence on dominance rather than partnership, during remarks aired on Emmanuel Mwamba Verified.

Speaking as president of Citizens First, Kalaba rejected assertions that his party resists opposition cooperation. He said Citizens First has pursued engagement with multiple opposition actors and that he personally held discussions aimed at identifying shared ground for collaboration. According to Kalaba, those efforts encountered repeated expectations from PF that any alliance must be anchored by its leadership.

Kalaba said the expectations included PF providing the presidential candidate, exercising control over the alliance secretariat, and setting the terms of cooperation. He said such arrangements reduced other parties to supporting roles and framed alliances as vehicles for restoring PF to prominence rather than partnerships among equals. Kalaba stated that Citizens First was not established to serve as an escort for another political organisation.

He linked this approach to the collapse of earlier opposition formations, citing the United Kwacha Alliance as an example. Kalaba said that alliance faltered after actors associated with the former ruling party sought to impose leadership structures and operational terms. He said unity required shared values, ideological alignment, and arrangements that strengthened all participating parties.

Kalaba’s remarks were delivered against the backdrop of recent by-elections that have shaped opposition calculations. In the Chawama parliamentary by-election and the Kasama mayoral contest, Citizens First placed third. The Patriotic Front did not field candidates directly in either race. Instead, PF worked with the Forum for Democracy and Development under the Tonse Alliance.

In Chawama, the FDD candidate won the parliamentary seat. In Kasama, the FDD candidate finished second in the mayoral race. In both contests, FDD candidates outperformed Citizens First. The results were recorded in races where PF publicly supported allied candidates rather than contesting in its own name.

The outcomes have been cited by PF supporters as evidence of the party’s continued organisational reach and voter mobilisation capacity. Party structures and loyalty networks appeared to consolidate support behind allied candidates, even in the absence of a PF-branded candidate on the ballot. The results added weight to PF’s position in discussions over opposition coordination.

Citizens First has pointed to its growth since formation, citing expanded national visibility and increased participation across constituencies. The party has maintained that its organisational development remains ongoing and that electoral performance should be assessed within that context. Kalaba said Citizens First’s approach to unity prioritised equitable participation and durable cooperation.

The differing positions reflect contrasting views within the opposition on how coalitions should be structured. One view places emphasis on parity among partners and collective leadership. Another view prioritises demonstrated electoral reach and mobilisation capacity as the basis for leadership within alliances. The positions have informed negotiations and public exchanges among opposition leaders.

Kalaba’s statements reiterated Citizens First’s stance that alliances should not weaken newer parties through absorption or predetermined hierarchies. He said any unity arrangement must recognise the autonomy of participating parties and avoid frameworks that centralise authority in one organisation.

The recent by-elections have featured prominently in public commentary around opposition strategy. In both Chawama and Kasama, PF’s indirect participation through the Tonse Alliance influenced the distribution of votes. The contests have been referenced in ongoing discussions about alliance models, leadership selection, and campaign coordination ahead of future electoral cycles.

Opposition leaders from multiple parties have continued to engage through public platforms and private consultations. No formal agreement on a unified opposition framework has been announced following the recent contests. Discussions on cooperation, candidate selection, and alliance structures remain ongoing within the opposition landscape.