In a compelling and impactful message, a consortium of Civil Society Organizations has delivered a resounding warning to Former President Edgar Lungu, cautioning him about the severe political and economic repercussions that may await should he choose to re-enter active politics.
During a joint media briefing that captured the attention of the nation, Operation Young Vote’s Executive Director, Guess Nyirenda, minced no words in conveying the consortium’s message. Nyirenda firmly stated, “Mr. Lungu should not cry foul if he is bruised by his opponents.” This straightforward remark underscored the gravity of the situation, setting the stage for a crucial discussion about Lungu’s potential return to the political arena.
Nyirenda went on to emphasize that the conduct of the former head of state has already begun to cast shadows over the credibility of the Patriotic Front, the political party to which Lungu belongs. Members of the party are anxiously awaiting his decision regarding its leadership, further adding to the complexity of the political landscape.
Civil Rights Activist Maiko Zulu, known for his staunch advocacy for justice and accountability, added his voice to the growing chorus of concern. He expressed that Mr. Lungu’s behavior in recent times is causing significant damage to the image of the office held by the former sixth Republican president. Zulu’s remarks served as a poignant reminder of the high standards of conduct expected from individuals who have occupied such esteemed positions in the past.
Meanwhile, Richwell Mulwani, the Executive Director of the Anti Voter Apathy Project, highlighted the broader implications of Lungu’s political involvement. Mulwani voiced his unease, stating that it is indeed disconcerting to witness the former president becoming increasingly entangled in political matters once again. His comments further fueled the ongoing discussion about the potential impact of Lungu’s actions on the nation’s political landscape.
As this warning from prominent figures in civil society reverberates across the nation, the spotlight remains firmly fixed on Edgar Lungu’s deliberations regarding his political future within the Patriotic Front. The complex interplay of politics, credibility, and image remains at the forefront of this unfolding narrative, with implications that stretch beyond party lines and into the heart of Zambia’s political discourse.
How can one even comment on such statements? Poverty causes many people to stop thinking, so it’s very important that we fight poverty and liberate some lost souls
And do you think the right liberator of poverty is Lungu?
Really? In a compelling and impactful message? This one? Impactful?
What csos? You mean consortium of highly charged t0nga tribalists. Fuseke you mother farcars!!
Coward running away from his country, commenting from a cave in Tanzania, you just shut up!
Look at all the downvotes you upnd thugs are getting. Signs of the times. 2026 prepare to pack up and face legal action.
Maiko Zulu isnt Tonga
No Butt-sauce Kaizer, the real issue here is that Lungu is not eligible to stand again. The Concourt has been asked again, now let us see what happens since Lungu no longer controls this court.
Hungry praise trying by all means to get HH’s attention so that they can get brown envelopes…its people eating with the Supreme leader Ayatollah Bandit Hakainde Hichilema are spending sleepless nights worrying about Edgar Lungu because they know that once he gets back into office no more brown envelopes
Mulwani voiced his unease, stating that it is indeed disconcerting to witness the former president becoming increasingly entangled in political matters once again.
CAN THIS GENTLEMAN CITE ONE EXAMPLE OF HOW EDGAR LUNGU HAS ENTANGLED IN POLITICS?
If Lungu chooses to come back to politics it’s his choice.
If he’s bruised it’s his choice.
What are the economic implications are they referring to? Lungu is not a God. He’s as human as these clowns.
By the way why hold a presser instead of meeting Lungu at his residence and discuss the issue with him? The reason for the press briefing is to attract the president’s attention nothing else.
If anything it’s this briefing that is debasing the office of the sixth president.
What is the meaning of empty statements such as “Mr. Lungu should not cry foul if he is bruised by his opponents.”? In this dirty game who has cried foul? Why dont people ignore him? Why are some people feeling obliged to warn someone who knows he doesnt have the energy for politics and has admitted so? Why so much ado about nothing?
#From Lazy Lungu… I have done my calculations… last election HH got 2.8m votes against Lungu’s 1.8m votes. Out of 2.8m 1.6m were a mixture of of undecideds, PF and other opposition supporters who were fed up with Lungu. Now this 1.6m is regretting voting for HH. These are the ones who the Upnd is worried of.
But there’s no need for Upnd to spend sleepless nights over Lungu… who I know has dropped out of politics.
All Upnd need is to make good on their promises and stop mentioning PF at every failure.
UPND should also stop thinking if a muzungu recognises their stage antics then they are succesful. The roads in my mother-in-law’s village in Mambwe are unpassable 60 years after independence. The bazungu who travel on these roads wont complain cos they use 4x4s which the local populace cant afford.
It appears everyone is scared of Lungu. Why not just pick him and confine him at Munda Wanga? If this will make you feel safe.
They are not scared, UPND and quarters of society have called for him to come clean about his political, you can not claim benefit for years then return, that ”fraud”, I think they should bring a law that prevent ex president from returning to active politics once you retire. The other one to limit retirement age to 65 for president. The latest an individual can aspire for presidential election is substantive 60 years or younger at the time of election
MM there’s no retiring in politics it’s just a matter of choice. Go back to school… losing an election doesn’t mean retirement. As long as you are eligible you can stand again or decide to retire and get a former presidents benefits. Like I said go back to school. Little scared men bothering about someone who cannot contest.
@MM The older you become the more suitable you become for leadership. You have seen it all and youth egoism doesnt pressure you so you make more sober decisions
You have missed my point about retirement from politics, if there was a law that stipulates retirement age, that cannot be a matter of choice, it is the application of the law. The ”Go back to school” part, not sure who needs going back to school, certainly not me.
Why are these CSOs so concerned about ECL’s return to politics? ECL is not barred by current constitution. It is therefore his democratic to return to politics if he so desires. Ultimately, it is the Zambian voters who will decide his fate in 2026; it is not the CSO, led by nonentities like Guess Nyirenda, to make that decision.
The same people sponsoring 2H will sponsor Lungu to create confusion, watch this space. Muzungu ni ka doyo ko vuta.
There has always been people surrounding former presidents in Zambia without anybody saying these former presidents were politically active. In the case of Lungu he is surrounding himself with political cadres joining him for his public jogging singing politically motivated songs on public roads. None of the previous former presidents were as politically active as Lungu is. Ask PF self appointed leaders why it is taking their party a long time to elect a new president to replace Lungu. Lungu wants to have the benefits of a former president while being politically active in public places and at corrupted church leaders organised venues. Be transparent Lungu and openly come into the political arena. Avoid hide and seek games!!
Why can’t Lungu stand if he wants to? Lungu is a Zambian and if he is not in violation of the constitution to stand let him do so. These CSO’s have been paid to worry about a none issue. There is big problem in Zambia today the needs the attentions of HH, CSOs the church and that is the escalating cost of living. Let Lungu go jogging and sort out mealie meal, fuel, fertilizer. You are wasting too much time and money following Lungu while the common Zambian can not afford to eat.
Olo nibwele. Ni bwelela iwe? Ni ma politics ya nyoko?
This is what exactly is happening in America where the former US, indicted four times, has passed through several abuses that have made him more popular than the incumbent. Why can’t the ballot litmus test decide whether EL is politically finished or not then he retires?
It’s not “exactly what’s happening in America”
Trump served one term and according to the US constitution can stand again.
Lungu is free to contest any election. He will be beaten again. Let him exercise his freedom of expression. CSOs are themselves run by small dictators.
Who have been at the helm for decades.
Who the hell is this group ?
We all wish for ECL to stand again as One defeat is obviously not enough
I dont
I didn’t know Lungu is such a powerful person…whenever he goes jogging people start panicking ….when he goes to church person start panicking ..when he sings the song instantly becomes a top selling hit…Nalitumpa ine…
It is good that we have people like Tikki who wish for ECL to stand again so that he can be defeated one more time. Some of us just want ECL to openly say he is back into active politics in Zambia instead of his hide and seek games. Lungu wants to continue getting benefits of being a former president while also engaging in active partisan politics. ECL is luck that the current government allows him to double tobela!
It’s not for you to call any citizen lucky. This is our country and if Lungu committed any crime just arrest him. Lungu like me like you is citizen of this country. The money he is getting as former president is not your father’s or musokotwanes. It from national Treasury to which I contribute.
All these useless organizations surviving via brown envelopes….ba pompwe….can’t these chaps find more gainful employment so that they can contribute to the economy instead of just opening their mouths and expecting brown envelopes in return
@ My Zambia
America is showing the whole world that it is the master of CORRUPTION….they should stop lecturing Africans about CORRUPTION….all crooked Politicians have ganged up against Trump…..
The Mother of democracy labels others, despots, olygarchy, dictators, tyrants, autocrats. That champion of democracy now wants to buy off and trade off Trump’s presidential bid for USD5 billion. Crazy. Lungu’s comeback will be bought by his pension. Funny.
No one is preventing Lungu from contesting and I don’t think UPND is concerned about him coming back.
The issue is Lungu`s continued cluelessness ( remember, the famous…….I have no vision !!). After being president, one would expect that he will be a better leader, who has a clear vision of what he wants. but alas, he is still playing imingalato.
Even Mumbi Phiri has seen through this man……..why should it take Mumbi Phiri to confront him in front of the courts begging him to state his position? Is Mumbi Phiri a UPND? That is just a signal that there is discontent even in PF. So, your argument that UPND is “scared of Lungu” is baseless, it is simple, Lungu is NOT projecting leadership. period. Whatever UPND says now against Lungu will be deemed political persecution, let lungu come out, HH or Lungu can share their vision, and the people of Zambia will have ample time to select a better leader, without utusaka twa ndalama.
Even Mumbi Phiri has seen through this man……..why should it take Mumbi Phiri to confront him in front of the courts begging him to state his position? Is Mumbi Phiri a UPND? That is just a signal that there is discontent even in PF.
Bo Kanene please, be reminded that Mumbi Phiri begged EL to withdraw the resignation letter he tendered to Cabinet Office so that he can forego his terminal benefits to ultimately participate in the 2026 general elections. She did not advance such narratives as yours, attempt such lies as coming from your ill-informed mouth.
@ My Zambia,
Withdraw his resignation for what reasons? So he can be in politics, right?
And that was my point, therefore, it’s you who is ill-informed, because you do not see the big-picture, and clearly you missed the point.
Exactly the point, testing the ground and water. Mind games. She and he are playing on you, psychological manipulation, and you have fallen for it. The naive UPND is always rattled by this phenomenon and it is working for PF’s advantage. Let me ask you, why can’t Lungu freely choose what next to do, like going to the toilet, without unsettling you?
So, your argument that UPND is “scared of Lungu” is baseless, it is simple, Lungu is NOT projecting leadership. period. Whatever UPND says now against Lungu will be deemed political persecution, let lungu come out, HH or Lungu can share their vision, and the people of Zambia will have ample time to select a better leader, without utusaka twa ndalama.
Which leadership has UPND projected apart from total failure? Lungu does not owe UPND an explanation about his strategy. Whether he is bluffing or he is serious about a comeback. He can even go all the way to nomination day before deciding. Please give us leadership and forget about the opposition. Your success, or failure, can only be measured not by the USA or opposition parties, but by the Zambian electorate. Grow up.
So, your argument that UPND is scared of Lungu is baseless, it is simple, Lungu is NOT projecting leadership. period. Whatever UPND says now against Lungu will be deemed political pe.rsecu.tion, let ECL come out, HH or Lungu can share their vision, and the people of Zambia will have ample time to select a better leader, without utusaka twa ndalama.
useless moderation
The law is clear that when a former president engages in active politics, he shall not be entitled to access the benefits of a former president. So decent Zambians want Lungu to stop his hide and seek games. If he wants to be in active politics, he will be dealt with as a political opponent. What is so difficult in understanding this? It is against the constitution for the current government to continue providing Lungu benefits of a former president when Lungu is in active politics.
There needs to be a legal definition of “engaging in politics”. As it is an rational man would say Lungu isnt engaging in politics because he has given up his Presidency of PF and hasnt announced candidacy for any other political party. If he talks about the shortcomings of the ruling party-which he hasnt-he will be merely exercising his freedom of speech. All citizens can exercise that freedom.
Deja Vu,
It is surprising that you think money from the national treasury can just be given to Lungu even when the law is clear that giving Lungu benefits of a former president is against the law when Lungu is still in active politics as is the case now. Public money used to benefit former presidents can only be accessed by a former president when the concerned former president is not in active politics. There is no point you are making by saying this not my father money or Musokotwane money. My father and Musokotwane contributes to the national treasury but have to respect the rules governing use of public money.
#Ngoma Yachipuba…. you think I daft? Once he decides to continue with politics he can no longer get such benefits. For your information Given Lubinda is acting president because Lungu has put it written that he’s not PF president. All you minions are doing is to distract us from real issues.
It is the people of zambia and not you so called civil society ,who are just benefiting and never fighting for human rights, there is hunger in the country and you are sitted ndwi and when you hear ECL you yap yap stop it we know you and your agender .You are not even ashamed of youselves, zambians are not fools mind you.We are watching your moves and your steps .Be a patrotic zambian by doining what is right for this Nation, honestly fuel and mealie meal is being increased almost everyday and you are quiet.Stop that if you are genuine civil rights organizations fighting for human rights or you are fighting for Animal rights, ECO SYSTEM.
UPND is a useless party full of lies.it’s not baout lungu but promises.I can assure you that 2026 there will re run and HH will lose
For as long as UPND continue employing from one region (southern,western and north western) then that is not a party i can support.That party called UPND has failed to unite us.Tribal politics too much
Deja Vu,
I didnt insult you by mutilating your name. Only bigots go for personal attacks when they fail to logically reason. If you think the activities of Lungu in the public doesnt constitute being politically active that is your opinion and you are entitled to it. However respect the opinion of other people who think the activities of Lungu demonstrate that he is politically active.
So if someone say watches a Nkana game you assume they are Nkana supporters.
No! Only if they watch a ZESCO game. You see lots of people follow teams like Nkana, Mighty because of their reputation. But ZESCO you have to be a supporter to show up at their matches
I think Zambia like many African countries have waken up from the slumber of colonial hangover. Hakainde is not the right leader to take Zambia out of this old fashioned puppetry theatrics of thinkingg that Joe Biden or America for that matter will take us out of economic Marais which he has also contributed to in the last 2 years. Endless trips to nowhere are a drain of the tax payers money.
No! Only if they watch a ZESCO game. You see lots of people follow teams like Nkana, Mighty because of their reputation. But ZESCO you have to be a supporter to show up at their matches
Leave him alone. Let Lungu come back to politics. But never let him come closer to Zambia’s finances. This time if given the chance he is going to steal everything including our kapenta. His hands are still itching because he still regrets for not stealing everything together with his criminal followers in PF