Zambia’s PF party will not contest August presidential election, cites internal divisions

LUSAKA-(MaraviPost)-Zambia’s main opposition party, the Patriotic Front (PF), has announced it will not participate in the upcoming presidential election scheduled for August, saying its future remains uncertain amid ongoing internal divisions.

The PF, led by the late former President Edgar Lungu before his death, said it has decided against contesting the poll to first resolve internal disputes rather than risk an embarrassing defeat.

The party is currently split between two factions. One group backs Makebi Zulu as party president, while another supports Miles Sampa, who was recognized by the courts as the legitimate leader.

The leadership wrangle has weakened the party’s structure and raised doubts about its ability to mount a united campaign.

In a statement, the PF said it had concluded that it would be wiser to focus on mending internal cracks before entering the national contest.

“It is better to address the problems within the party first than to contest and lose shamefully,” the party said.

The Patriotic Front was founded by the late Michael Sata and has been one of Zambia’s dominant political forces since coming to power in 2011.

Its decision to sit out the August election marks a significant shift in the country’s political landscape ahead of the vote.

Jones Gadama

Holder of a Bachelor’s Degree in Education (English) and Diplomas in Journalism and French Language. Seasoned journalist and educator with over 10 years of experience in writing feature stories, analysis, and investigative pieces on social justice, human rights, and Malawian culture. Skilled in language instruction and examination. Passionate about creating engaging content and fostering a supportive learning environment.