By Isaac Zulu
The opposition alliance will be stronger if parties such as Socialist Party, Patriots for Economic Progress, FDD and Zambia Must Prosper joined the alliance, says Chama North Member of parliament (PF) Yotam Mtayachalo.
In a statement, Mytachalo, stated that the proposed formation of the opposition political alliance would enhance effective checks and balances to the ruling party.
“The formation of the people’s movement by some opposition political parties is a welcome move because it may strengthen the fragmented opposition to enable it provide effective checks and balances to the ruling party. It has been my long held opinion that there is need for the opposition to unite in light of formation of so many political parties which are not adding value to the country’s political landscape,” Mtayachalo stated.
He further stressed on the need to ensure that the proposed political party alliance should be people driven, if it is to be successful.
“However in my view the people’s movement will derive a lot of strength if other opposition parties such as the Socialist party, Forum for Democracy, Development (FDD), Patriots For Economic Progress (PEP) and Zambia Must Prosper party just to mention but a few considered joining the alliance,” Mtayachalo stated.
He stated that Zambia needs an opposition political alliance that is strong, comparable to that of the MMD, which managed to dislodge the UNIP administration
“Further if the opposition alliance has to stand the test of time it should be people driven and more importantly its leader who will be fielded in the 2026 general elections as its presidential candidate should be democratically elected and as such the alliance should also come up with a manifesto which is a product of consensus building. It is a fact that the opposition alliance has not been a success story in Zambia largely because every leader wanted to lead the alliance. However I just hope this time around all leaders in the alliance must be ready to be led like it was in 1991 when almost everyone rallied behind Mr Fredrick Chiluba as a torch bearer. That’s how the MMD managed to dislodge the UNIP government from power,” Mtayachalo stated. “By and large I have heard the UPND has dismissed the alliance as driven by selfish interest. However, I feel that the ruling party should not underrate the opposition alliance but should instead go back to its drawing board and rectify where it has gone wrong because one does not need to be a rocket scientist to tell that the ruling party is losing public support due to hard economic times arising from the high cost of living and doing business in the country among many others.
In conclusion the opposition alliance should start mobilizing the grass root and explaining its objectives to the voters and needless to say that it should come up with alternative economic policies which can provide hope to the people of Zambia if people have to buy its messages.”
