…says Harry Kalaba, the Citizens First leader has gone out of the way selling himself, advises other opposition leaders to go out of Lusaka to campaign and make themselves popular
By BARNABAS ZULU
BREBNER Changala has observed that some opposition political party leaders are seeking endorsements from former President Edgar Lungu to prope up their chances of winning the 2026 general election despite failing to adequately market themselves and their ideologies to the people.
Mr Changala, the civil rights and political activist says there appears to be a growing competition from among opposition leaders jostling for endorsement by former President Lungu when they had not done enough to make themselves popular and martetable.
“The jostling for endorsement by opposition leaders is in order. But endorsement aside, it is the people of Zambia that must be assessed and entertained by the endorsement. People want to be endorsed when they have put in nothing in terms of self-marketing,” Mr Changala said.
Mr Changala pointed out that even former President Lungu was facing challenges in endorsing candidates because he was, himself a presidential candidate for the Tonse Alliance for the 2026 general election.
He stated that some opposition figures, such as Sean Tembo, Harry Kalaba, and Brian Mundubile were emerging as leading contenders in the 2026 general election but emphasized the need for these leaders to market themselves more effectively. “This is a challenge that even ECL is facing. If you look at the opposition leaders that are available, there seems to be two or three names that seem to be reaching out to the populous in order to attract an endorsement. That is Mr Harry Kalaba, Mr Brian Mundubile and to some lesser extent, Mr Sean Tembo,” he said.
Mr Changala explained that for the mentioned opposition leaders to garner sufficient support from both the former head of State and the people of Zambia, it was important that they should go beyond mere aspirations for endorsement.
“It is not just enough to have Mr. Changala endorsed when he is not known in Kalabo, Mr. Changala to be endorsed when he is not known in Kasempa. Then you even stop doing anything,” he said.
He called on those who wish to appear on the ballot to actively engage with the populace and present their ideas on how best they shall address the country’s socio-economic challenges if they were to be elected. Mr Changala has challenged the presidential aspiring candidates for the 2026 general election to clearly articulate their messages and convince the voters that they were the right candidates to solve the problems facing the nation.
“I urge those who want to be on the ballot to actively be engaged with the populous, and selling the idea of what they should do to be elected. They should tell the people why they think they are the right candidates, to come and solve the current socio and economic problems that they face,” he said Mr Changala stated that just seeking endorsement without making efforts to connect with the electorate was not enough, stating that endorsement would naturally follow those who would have sold themselves to the people.
“We have noticed that most politicians in the opposition are not leaving Lusaka. But they are seated in Lusaka waiting for engagement. That is the first sign of failure. Harry Kalaba has gone out of the way, he is all over the country, selling himself. I urge Chishala Kateka to do the same. The endorsement is one act but before that, they should build up,” he said.
