By Mubanga Mubanga
PF presidential aspirant Willah Mudolo says he will not participate in the “illegal” PF convention slated for this weekend.
In a statement issued to Daily Revelation yesterday, Mudolo stated that he would not be part of people who were going to participate in an “illegal” conference.
“To the Members of the Patriotic Front Across Zambia and the General Public Fellow members of the Patriotic Front, fellow citizens, and the people of Zambia, I wish to address you with a deep sense of responsibility, constitutional discipline, and respect for the rule of law. As the Presidential candidate under the Patriotic Front, I wish to make my position clear, firm, and unequivocal: I will not participate in the illegal conference reportedly scheduled for this weekend, the so-called ‘No Name’ Conference,” Mudolo stated. “I have not resigned from the Patriotic Front, and I will not abandon the legitimate constitutional process in order to take part in an unlawful gathering. My nomination as a presidential candidate under the Patriotic Front remains valid, and I shall participate in the Patriotic Front presidential race following the determination of the matter before the courts on 27 March 2026.”
Mudolo stated that his decision not to participate in “ illegal” convention was not borne out of fear or political convenience, but out of maturity, principle and fidelity to the constitution of the PF and laws of Zambia.
“Leadership must be anchored in legality, not expediency; in order, not confusion; and in legitimacy, not shortcuts. There is presently a subsisting court injunction issued in Kabwe which remains in full force and effect, restraining the Patriotic Front from undertaking any actions contrary to the orders of the court until such injunction is lawfully discharged, varied, or set aside by a court of competent jurisdiction,” Mudolo stated. “In law, a subsisting injunction is binding on all parties and persons with notice thereof, and any conduct undertaken in defiance of that order is null, irregular, and liable to be impugned. No one is above the law, and no political ambition can supersede a valid court order.”
Mudolo argued that there was already a court injunction which was issued in Kabwe.
He stressed that any attempt to convene, conduct or conclude a conference in defiance of that injunction was unconstitutional and had no legal consequence within the PF legal consequence within the Patriotic Front.
“Let me be very clear: I do not recognise the proposed ‘No Name: conference as a lawful Patriotic Front conference. I therefore wish to state, unequivocally and constitutionally, that any person who elects to participate in that illegal conference without lawful authority and outside the framework of the Patriotic Front Constitution will, by that very act, have confirmed their resignation from the Patriotic Front,” Mudolo stated. “Such individuals shall not be eligible to participate in the legitimate Patriotic Front conference to be held after the court process on 27 March 2026, and within the month of March. The Constitution of the Patriotic Front cannot be applied selectively.”
Mudolo stated that whoever would be elected at the purported PF convention will not be recognised as the legitimate PF president
“Let me also make this point without ambiguity: whoever may purport to be elected under the so-called ‘No Name’ conference shall not be recognised as the legitimate President of the Patriotic Front. Such a process would be devoid of constitutional authority, and its outcome would carry no legitimacy in law, in party governance, or in the eyes of all those who believe in order and justice,” Mudolo stated. “By default, all those attending such a conference shall be deemed to have withdrawn from the Patriotic Front. This is not merely a political position but it is a moral and constitutional stand.”
Mudolo stated that as things stood in the PF, Miles Sampa was the legitimate acting president.
“It must bind all members equally, regardless of rank, influence, or personal preference. As matters stand today, Hon. Miles Sampa remains the legitimate Acting President of the Patriotic Front, and I respectfully urge him not to associate himself with the proposed unlawful convention. I urge him instead to stand on the side of legality and legitimacy, and to be part of the lawful conference that shall be convened after the court’s determination on 27 March 2026, and within this month,” stated Mudolo. “Should the court process not be concluded in a manner that allows the conference to proceed immediately thereafter, then and only then shall an alternative lawful avenue be communicated through the legitimate structures and channels of the Patriotic Front. That process, if necessary, will be orderly, constitutional, and binding on all concerned.”
