Patriotic Front (PF) Secretary General Raphael Nakacinda has dismissed Robert Chabinga as a product of an “illegal coup” and unfit to lead or represent the former ruling party, asserting that the PF is now a united force ahead of the upcoming Lumezi by-election.
Mr Nakacinda said Mr Chabinga’s involvement in what he described as an illegitimate faction of the PF stems from an internal division orchestrated by Matero Member of Parliament Miles Sampa.
He noted, however, that Mr Sampa has since reconciled with the original leadership, solidifying unity within the party.
“If Mr Sampa, who was at the centre of the division, has returned and reconciled with the party, how can someone like Mr Chabinga who is merely a byproduct of that illegality claim to be leading the PF?” Mr Nakacinda said.
He accused Mr Chabinga of being used by the ruling United Party for National Development (UPND) to fabricate a perception of division within the opposition, insisting that Chabinga is politically insignificant and lacks the mandate to speak for the PF.
“Every Zambian is celebrating the development of the main opposition party being cured of the perception of having two factions,” Mr Nakacinda added.
He further stated that the return of Mr Sampa was in line with public calls for unity within the opposition, and assured that the party would continue to work towards internal cohesion.
Mr Nakacinda also criticized sections of the media for what he called “unnecessary relevance” given to Chabinga, describing him as a “society misfit” who should not be allowed to control the political narrative.
Mr Nakacinda said the PF and the broader opposition would participate as a united front and condemned the imprisonment of former Lumezi MP Munir Zulu, claiming it was unjust and politically motivated.
“We are going into the Lumezi by-election united because we want to demonstrate that injustice will not prevail in Zambia,” he said, vowing that the opposition would not allow Zulu’s parliamentary seat to be “forcefully grabbed.”
