By Isaac Zulu
Edgar Lungu is a bonafide member of PF and has the right to contest for any position of his choice, says newly appointed PF secretary general Raphael Nakachinda.
And Nakachinda has said that PF members that intend to protest against his appointment are at liberty to express their freedom of expression, saying his appointment is not for personal glory but an assignment to reorganize the Patriot Front and for the betterment of the Zambian people.
Nakachinda’s appointment has elicited acrimony in the PF, with members organising to hold mass protests against him and his appointer PF vice-president Given Lubinda and the one believed to be the ultimate appointer former president Edgar Lungu.
Speaking with Daily Revelation, Nakachinda said that it is mischievous for anyone to assert that his appointment as Patriot Front secretary general is ploy to bring Edgar Lungu as party president.
He wondered why the debate on the possible return of Edgar Lungu to active politics should continue when the former president has not indicated that he has intentions of contesting for the Presidency in 2026.
He was, however, quick to say that Edgar Lungu, being a bonafide member of the Patriotic Front has a right to contest for a position of his choice.
“It is mischievous for anyone to suggest that my appointment as secretary general of the Patriotic Front is a ploy to push for the return of President Edgar Lungu. The man has not stated his position on the matter. But it should also be noted that president Edgar Lungu is a bonafide member of the Patriotic Front. And like any party member, he has a right to contest for a position of his choice. He is not excluded from that.”
And Nakachinda has said that his appointment is not for personal glory but an assignment to reorganize the Patriotic Front for the betterment of the Zambian people.
Nakachinda said that he will not be detracted by individuals that want to use him as a tool for factionalism in the Patriotic Front.
“I don’t want to spend time responding to those that want to engage in some protests. They are at liberty to express their freedom of expression. And in any vibrant and rigorous political party you will find different characters. And I want to say that I don’t want to be used as a tool for factioning the Patriotic Front,” said Nakachinda. “My appointment is not for personal glory but an assignment to reorganize the Patriotic Front for the betterment of the Zambian people, who are suffering and now want the Patriot Front back in government in 2026. The Patriotic Front is pro-poor and majority of our sympathisers are from the streets and ordinary Zambians. These are the people that want the PF to come back.”
