EASTERN PROVINCE PF LEADERSHIP DISMISSES ENDORSEMENT OF PRESIDENT HICHILEMA
…as the Provincial Chairperson calls on the people of Chipangali, Msanzala and Mafinga to retire political novices in 2026
Chipata… Sunday February 23, 2025
The Patriotic Front (PF) leadership in Eastern Province has distanced itself from the endorsement of President Hakainde Hichilema’s 2026 candidature by three of its Members of Parliament (MPs), describing the move as a betrayal of the people.
In a statement issued by Eastern Province PF Chairperson Joseph Duma Makukula, the party expressed disappointment over the actions of Mafinga MP Robert Chabinga, Chipangali MP Andrew Lubusha, and Msanzala MP Elias Daka, who reportedly endorsed President Hichilema during the Nc’wala traditional ceremony.
Mr Makukula stated that it was disheartening to see the three lawmakers “sing and dance for a bowl of soup” while the people of Eastern Province continued to suffer under high inflation and poverty.
He criticized their endorsement, arguing that the ruling UPND had failed to address economic hardships, including rising prices of essential goods and the lack of medicines in hospitals.
He further accused the three MPs of being “habitual political migrants and immigrants” who prioritized their business interests over the welfare of their constituents.
Mr Makukula disclosed that the people of Eastern Province had already rejected those lawmakers, as seen in a recent incident in Petauke.
The PF provincial leader urged the electorate in Chipangali, Msanzala, and Mafinga to ignore the MPs and “retire them in 2026,” along with what he described as their “political paymaster.”
He reiterated the party’s support for former President Edgar Chagwa Lungu, whom he confirmed would be the PF’s presidential candidate in 2026.
Mr Makukula also warned that the actions of the three MPs could have lasting political consequences, suggesting that their decisions were driven by financial incentives rather than genuine political conviction.
He accused them of failing to represent Eastern Province effectively in Parliament and suggested that they were “digging their own political graves.”
Additionally, he called on aspiring PF candidates in various constituencies, including Nyimba, Msanzala, Kapoche, Chipangali, Chadiza, Vubwi, Kaumbwe, and Chasefu, to begin mobilizing support ahead of the 2026 elections.
He urged party members to strengthen PF structures to prevent further political damage from what he termed “political migrants.”
Mr Makukula also emphasized that the endorsements made by the three MPs did not reflect the official position of the PF in Eastern Province.
He alleged that the MPs were now operating as a “UPND branch” within PF, facilitated by manipulations within the Registrar of Societies.
Turning his attention to the UPND, Mr Makukula sarcastically wished the ruling party well in welcoming the three defectors, warning that they were not “principled” and were only interested in financial and business gains.
He suggested that their presence in UPND could cause divisions, similar to their recent actions in PF.
In his closing remarks, Mr Makukula criticized the timing of the endorsement, arguing that political rallies should not overshadow traditional ceremonies such as Nc’wala.
He described the event as an “insult” to the people of Eastern Province and called for traditional ceremonies to remain apolitical in the future.
Mr Makukula concluded by referencing recent statements from Catholic bishops who reportedly cautioned Information Minister Cornelius Mweetwa about growing dissatisfaction ahead of the 2026 elections.
He stated that the three MPs had ignored these warnings and instead aligned themselves with a government that allegedly prioritizes tribal job placements.
The PF leadership in Eastern Province has, therefore, reaffirmed its loyalty to President Edgar Lungu and the Tonse Alliance, calling on supporters to remain steadfast as the 2026 general elections approach.
EASTERN PROVINCE PF LEADERSHIP DISMISSES ENDORSEMENT OF PRESIDENT HICHILEMA
