Lungu Poised for Major Comeback as Opposition Falters, While Hichilema Faces Political Reality
As Zambia’s political landscape shifts, the opposition continues to falter in disarray, and rumors abound that former President Edgar Chagwa Lungu is on the brink of making a dramatic comeback. Sources close to the matter suggest Lungu is preparing to exit the United Kwacha Alliance (UKA) in October 2024 and position himself for a nomination under the Tonse Alliance or the People’s Pact. This calculated move could upend the 2026 general elections, as Lungu still commands significant influence and poses a genuine threat to the ruling UPND and President Hakainde Hichilema.
Lungu’s frustrations with UKA’s internal dysfunction are clear, with reports suggesting that he’s displeased with how the alliance handled the expulsion of Sean Tembo, while Saboi Imboela who made similarly controversial statements—was treated with kid gloves. Lungu is said to blame UKA Chairperson Sakwiba Sikota for this bias, further fueling speculation about his imminent exit.
This turmoil within UKA has exposed the cracks in Zambia’s opposition, but what remains equally concerning is President Hichilema’s political approach. While Lungu repositions himself as a serious contender for 2026, Hichilema appears detached, adopting a “know-it-all” attitude that is alienating the very people who propelled him to power. Despite his administration’s long-term vision for Zambia, the President is failing to address the immediate needs of the populace a grave misstep in a country where people vote based on their daily struggles, not future promises.
Hichilema’s strategy to focus on grand plans for infrastructure, economic reforms, and governance is commendable, but it risks becoming irrelevant if Zambians feel their stomachs are empty today. The reality is that politics is often decided by short-term issues. Zambians want results now, not in five or ten years. The “Mr. Nice Guy” politics Hichilema is pursuing might soon become a liability, as the tables could turn dramatically when the electorate prioritizes their immediate needs over lofty visions of future prosperity.
Political analysts warn that Lungu’s potential departure from UKA, coupled with his growing disenchantment with the opposition, could energize his base and attract disillusioned voters. Meanwhile, Hichilema’s inability to listen to the people’s cry for immediate economic relief could be his downfall. History has shown that Zambian voters will not hesitate to oust a leader if their day-to-day struggles are ignored—no matter how impressive long-term plans may appear on paper.
The opposition’s disorganization is undoubtedly working in Lungu’s favor, but the ruling UPND government must also recognize the danger of complacency. President Hichilema’s refusal to heed the voices of the people, particularly when it comes to addressing their pressing needs, may backfire. People vote with their bellies, not with a vision of a distant future.
As the 2026 race draws closer, the political landscape is becoming increasingly unpredictable. With Lungu likely to contest under a new alliance and the opposition in disarray, the UPND must wake up to the political realities at play. Hichilema’s “know-it-all” approach could become a self-imposed obstacle if he doesn’t start addressing the current hardships faced by everyday Zambians. Edgar Lungu is not only re-emerging as a credible contender, but Hichilema’s inability to focus on the now could very well give Lungu the edge in the next election.
In a country where political fortunes can shift overnight, both the opposition and the ruling party must tread carefully. As it stands, Lungu’s chances of reclaiming power in 2026 seem more realistic with each passing day, while Hichilema risks being caught off guard if he continues to underestimate the importance of listening to the immediate concerns of the people. The opposition may be divided, but Hichilema cannot afford to rest on his laurels—because in politics, nice guys don’t always finish first.
By Joseph Ngubeni.
Political Scientist
Nonsense, both Lungu and Hakainde have done their part and abysmally failed.
Our politics shouldn’t evolve around these two.
Both should be confined to the political archives of this country.
Every day of nonsense. Wasting bundles on mentally retarded leaders.
Zambia sounds like 95 % of people are mentally disabled.
I agree. Unfortunately the intelligent ones are far from the arena…. I hope someone will surprise us and appear before nomination time.
If Donald Trump comes back then you Lungu supporters can start dreaming. But it’s impossible for Bumbling bungling Trump to get back into the white house
Very true don’t underestimate lungu.
Let’s move away from that thinking that ECL
Is the only saviour.We have to move on as
New dawn looks like not performing.
Give the New Dawn time. Lusaka was not built in a day.
Hakainde has had in enough time while in opposition to know what affected the people while he was in opposition. In fact one lesson we have learnt from Hakainde is that being in opposition for a long time does not mean good leadership. We need a constitution that sets time limit for one leader being at the helm of the political party, losing 5 times was enough. We need a leader of opposition to lose a maximum of three times then hand over to someone within the party. While the southerners vote mainly on tribal lines they lack self introspection and tribalism has blinded many, tribe does not put food on the table Let us look at the capabilities of any Zambian to lead, Hakainde is one of the worst disasters to have happened to Zambia.
Let’s move on bane. I will repeat my thoughts as before: we are not short of leadership. Let’s look forward to a new dispensation and a new leader. Going back to what we rejected or keeping failed realities is not the way to seek progress. Let us look to new entrants with a critical eye and without kid’s gloves. Those who exited the stage must stay out, and those who have failed to utilise the stage must be asked to exit that stage.
@Razor so that’s why this president has fired the judges?
To send a message to Concourt to rule against Lungu’s return or get fired. These politicians!
Lungu is out of the equation. Concourt is going to bar him and even if they don’t no one is going to vote for him. Let’s now look for other alternatives since even upnd has failed.
@Razor so that’s why this president has fired the judges?
To send a message to Concourt to rule against Lungu’s return or get fired. These politicians!
Both HH and Lungu are clowns…both are useless Pompwes and I think Lungu is secretly working with HH….anything is possible with Politicians….they’re good at creating fooling gullible followers
Lungu is out HH is next I have said before Zesco will be his nightmare legacy
He is avoiding it like a plague
The drought won’t last until 2026……
Major comeback yakuti? Ba Ngubeni stop dreaming and trying to make us dance to your pied pipering. You make such uncooked attempts at giving a fake analysis you could be very welcome by those suffering from insomnia.
Your concoction of facts is as dysfunctional as our present government. Just a few: “The opposition’s disorganization is undoubtedly working in Lungu’s favor” Really? How? If he has to come power he has to unite the opposition behind him.
Ati “In a country where political fortunes can shift overnight,” When did Zambian political fortunes shift overnight? Ask Hakainde, ask those who were with Sata and ask those who have survived from the second republic. It took HH how many years of bumping the same wall over and over before it cracked? It certainly never took Sata’s well known organisational prowess overnight to jump into State House. Only Lungu and Banda were lucky enough to make a wish: and the president died for them to take over overnight. And it took us 27 years to move from one party state to MMD
The gods have made Edgar Lungu mad. The money he stole is being taken back to the people of Zambia. Guilt does that. There is no chance that Edgar Lungu will find his name on another ballot. That said, HH is doing himself no favors by not addressing crises in the country, showing a clear lack of initiative on his part.
So this us how the fate of a nation us decided, by the majority ignorant..
In ZED, they remove professionals such as Permanent Secretaries ( Director Generals ) who have been in civil servants for so many years, very experienced and put their cadres such as that Kangwa boy from that tv series & that loud mouth, disrespecting Pilato who have no idea on how ministries run. How do you progress, how? You dimwits!!!! You backward colonised niggaz
It’s the overly powerful and very important president who appoints them. He is in charge of everything in Zambia.
As if everyone else is ignorant. Very soon he will decide whether your daughter should get married.
It will be wishful thinking to come back with the same parasites such as Chimbwili and the dumbwidozer. Lungu on his own stands a chance but when you add those loud speakers in his entourage then it becomes something else.
Unless we have no future, we can’t be recycling deadwood. Buckteeth has eaten enough corruption carrots to comfortably stay far far away from our State House.
Sishuwa Sishuwa for President! If he doesn’t want: John Sangwa for President! Muhabi Lungu where are you?? There are many suitable candidates from our 25 million citizens
keep on dreaming. It is part of democracy and freedom as it is now real freedom under HH.
That’s why we can’t develop. One man can’t be in charge of everything. He is not an expert on everything so how will we build infrastructure, grow our crops, solve loadshedding, prevent medication being stolen from UTH, monitor Lungu, look for JJ and Zulu
We are not going back to violent kleptocracy !
……
Lungu is in it to save his and family stolen money……..
If GRZ was to drop all cases , he would agree to retire, this is his hope…
Won’t happen and if he stood, he will be humiliated again