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Collusion Between Judiciary and State House in Bid to Bar Him from 2026 Election – ECL

By Lusaka Times Editor
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Former President Edgar Lungu, during a press conference on October 1, 2024, made serious accusations against President Hakainde Hichilema and the judiciary, alleging that they are working together to bar him from contesting the 2026 presidential election. Lungu expressed deep concern over what he termed as “orchestrated schemes hatched at State House,” with the judiciary’s participation, designed to block his political future. He pointed to recent legal petitions challenging his eligibility, which had already been settled by the Constitutional Court, and called the reopening of these cases “illegal” and a clear display of “lawlessness.”

Lungu did not mince words, accusing the petitioners of being surrogates of the ruling United Party for National Development (UPND). He cited photographic evidence of these petitioners in the company of President Hichilema and his top government officials. However, Lungu’s primary concern lay in the judiciary’s alleged involvement. He claimed to have “credible information” that certain judges were either showing an interest or actively participating in the schemes to bar him from running. This, he argued, compromises the impartiality of Zambia’s courts, prompting him to file a motion for the recusal of certain judges.

“My hope is that my application for recusal will be respected,” Lungu stated, emphasizing the need for the judiciary to restore public confidence by maintaining its independence. He argued that without impartiality, the credibility of Zambia’s courts would be severely damaged.

In a broader attack on the current government, Lungu pointed to what he believes is a dangerous pattern of political interference across Zambia’s institutions. He mentioned the removal of former Director of Public Prosecutions, Lillian Shawa Siyuni, and other high-profile figures, such as the suspension of three Constitutional Court judges, as part of this disturbing trend. “These actions are undermining the rule of law and our democracy,” Lungu said, warning of the long-term damage this could do to Zambia’s democratic institutions.

Lungu also raised the alarm about alleged schemes to rig the 2026 elections, accusing the Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ) of conducting secret voter registration and National Registration Card (NRC) issuance. According to Lungu, these activities were part of a broader effort to “decimate credible opposition candidates” and pave the way for UPND to manipulate the election in their favor. He called these actions “devious schemes designed to destroy the opposition.”

In his speech, Lungu stressed the critical role that institutions like the ECZ, the judiciary, and Parliament play in ensuring a fair electoral process. He warned that the involvement of these democratic institutions in what he called “illegal and dangerous schemes” would amount to “treachery” and the complete “reversal of democratic values.” He called on Zambians to resist any efforts to compromise the integrity of the electoral process, emphasizing that the country’s democracy and peace were at stake.

“We cannot afford to sacrifice the sacrifices of our forefathers for narrow partisan interests,” Lungu said, referring to Zambia’s hard-won independence in 1964 and its transition to multi-party democracy in 1991. He accused President Hichilema of being more interested in retaining power at all costs than in solving the country’s real problems. Lungu criticized the government’s focus on political schemes rather than addressing pressing issues like “the high cost of living, rising unemployment, and the volatile exchange rate.”

Lungu also drew a stark contrast between the economic conditions at the time he left office and the current state of the nation under Hichilema’s leadership. He cited the rising prices of essential goods such as mealie-meal, fuel, and fertilizer as evidence of the government’s failure to improve the economy. “Instead of focusing on the economy, the President is engaging in cowardly political schemes,” he charged.

Towards the end of his speech, Lungu issued a direct challenge to President Hichilema, urging him to stop using underhanded tactics and face him in a fair election. “He must face me in 2026, not hide behind cowardly schemes to bar me from running,” Lungu declared, framing the upcoming election as a critical battle for Zambia’s democratic future.

The press conference has escalated political tensions in Zambia, with Lungu’s accusations raising concerns about the independence of Zambia’s institutions and the fairness of the 2026 elections. His claim that the judiciary is compromised by political influence is a serious allegation that calls into question the integrity of the electoral process. Whether these accusations will lead to further political friction or rallying among his supporters remains to be seen. What is clear, however, is that the road to the 2026 elections will be fraught with challenges, not only for Lungu but for Zambia’s entire democratic fabric.

below is his speech in full.

PLOTS TO BAR ME FROM STANDING ARE HATCHED FROM STATE HOUSE, SADLY IT APPEARS THE JUDICIARY IS PARTICIPATING IN THESE DIRTY SCHEMES

1st October 2024

I have chosen to make my remarks on this matter because of their importance to the life and well-being of our country.

You are aware that recently, there have been legal petitions against my eligibility to stand as a presidential candidate in both 2021 and the future.This matter has been settled by the Constitutional Court.

The re-opening of what was settled remains illegal and a clear act of lawlessness.It is now common knowledge that the petitioners are surrogates of State House and the UPND.We have all seen pictures of the petitioners with my competitor, President Hakainde Hichilema, and in many cases with his ministers, and senior UPND leaders This doesn’t bother us.

However, what bothers us is the credible information that members of the Judiciary are keen or have demonstrated interest to participate in these political and illegal schemes to bar me from participating in elections.

It is for this reason that we have raised a petition of recusal, on the need for some judges to recuse themselves, to create distance, promote the sense of impartiality and remove those perceived to have vested interest in the case.

My hopes and prayers are that there will be respect accorded to my application currently before court, to help restore confidence in the courts and the Judiciary.

The recent events where professionals have been removed and punished for doing a professional job makes very sad turn of events.

I have in mind the unconstitutional removal and harassment of the former Director of Public Prosecutions. Ms. Lillian Fulata Shawa Siyuni, the Registrar of Societies, Thandiwe Phiri-Mhende, and the recent suspension of 3 constitutional court judges among others.

All the complaint against the Judges were comprehensively dealt with, we see that the matter has been, without cause or justifications, been re-opened and the Judges stand suspended.These developments are serious, and are undermining the rule of law and our democracy.

SCHEME TO UNDERMINE THE 2026 ELECTIONS
It has become very evident that schemes designed to undermine the 2026 presidential and general elections have been heightened.

From secret issuance of NRC to the secret registration of voters. The ECZ has not bothered to publicise this exercise and has not bothered to conduct   it in an open manner.
All these devious schemes are being implemented to attempt to destroy the opposition, decimate viable and credible candidates and present an opportunity for the UPND to steal the 2026 election.

Our call is that the participation of democratic institutions such Parliament, Judiciary and the Electoral Commission of Zambia in these illegal and dangerous schemes being perpetrated by State House would amount to the act of treachery and reversal to our democratic values and the democracy we constantly all aspire to achieve.These actions are threatening national security and our cherished peace.
We make this call, to Zambians, who are the real custodians of both our peace and security, that democratic dividends earned so far must not be lost.

Both our independence in 1964 and our democracy in 1991, were hard-fought for and the sacrifices made by our forefathers must NEVER be sacrificed at the alter of political expedience and narrow partisan interests being perpetrated as being by President Hichilema.

Instead of focusing on the numerous challenges and crises facing our country such as load-shedding, high cost of living, poverty unemployment, lack of economic opportunity, volatile exchange rate, rising debt and rising inflation and the economic collapse that we face, President Hichilema is engaged in schemes to retain power at all cost, even at the expense of destroying our democracy and the rule of law.

What did he find when he assumed office? What was the price of mealie-meal? Fuel? Electricity? Fertiliser?cooking oil? sugar?

To win elections, one must work for the people and the economy of the country. One must NOT plot to retain power against the will of the people.

He must face me and should desist to use cowardly and dirty political schemes to bar my participation in the elections.

Dr. Edgar Chagwa Lungu
ZAMBIA’S SIXTH PRESIDENT
PATRIOTIC FRONT

Lusaka Times Editor
Lusaka Times Editorhttps://www.lusakatimes.com

56 COMMENTS

  1. ECL and PF created a compromised ConCourt and ushered in a messed up 2016 constitution in the first place. Its wishful thinking to expect the UPND to legitimize such crap.
    After the debt and economic crisis is brought under control , Zambia needs to look at a proper clean up of the judiciary and the constitution

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  2. ECL should remember that he was ELECTED TWICE, SWORN IN TWICE AND HELD OFFICE TWICE.
    Why should HH face ECL in 2026.
    Lets not be silly.

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    10

  3. ECL thinks he is indispensable and is power, wealth and alcohol hungry. Sata raised ECL into leadership and prepared him to govern Zambia. ECL when he was 66 years old in 2021, had a chance to train and prepare someone younger than him as a successor but instead chose 70 year old Nkandu Luo as a running mate. He had a large pool of capable, educated, reasonably experienced, trainable, intelligent and younger options within PF to choose as running mate such as Miles Sampa, Edify Hamukale, Chitalu Chilufya, Given Lubinda etc to select from but failed to emulate Michael Sata approach.

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  4. Edgar Chagwa Lungu thinks he is indispensable and is power and wealth hungry. Sata raised ECL into leadership and prepared him to govern Zambia. ECL when he was 66 years old in 2021, had a chance to train and prepare someone younger than him as a successor but instead chose 70 year old Nkandu Luo as a running mate. He had a large pool of capable, educated, reasonably experienced, trainable, intelligent and younger options within PF to choose as running mate such as Miles Sampa, Edify Hamukale, Chitalu Chilufya, Given Lubinda etc to select from but failed to emulate Michael Sata approach.

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  5. when he was 66 years old in 2021, ECL had a chance to train and prepare someone younger than him as a successor but instead chose 70 year old Nkandu Luo as a running mate. He had a large pool of capable, educated, reasonably experienced, trainable, intelligent and younger options within PF to choose as running mate such as Miles Sampah, Edify Hamukaleh, Chitalu Chilufyah, Given Lubindah etc to select from but failed to emulate Michael Sata approaches.

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  7. I do believe that we can do away with term limits. I’m confident in the Zambian voter to vote anyone out.

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  8. Look who is talking…; has he forgotten how he humiliated Mutembo Nchito – to the extent of even locking him up on trumped up charges?

    Ba Lungu, just rest bwana. We’re not going back!

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  9. Am not UPND but I think Lungu is now forcing things…Lungu had his time in office but he is now acting as if he Zambia still owes him Presidential position…NO MORE POLITICS LETS NOW CONCENTRATE ON DEVELOPING

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  10. Chiluba said POWER IS SWEET…..Lungu tested how sweet power is now he wants to rule again so that he can continue stealing….Lungu had less than US$2000 in his savings account when he became President but now he has assets worth billions….where did he get all the money???..and am not UPND

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  11. Am a business man and I want things to improve in Zambia so that my business can improve too…i don’t want any Politician to destabilize Zambia because that will affect my business…LUNGU SHOULD JUST SHUT UP AND MOVE BACK TO CHAWAMA and HH shoould not go beyond 2026

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  12. I repeat…ONLY THE SITTING PRESIDENT SHOULD BE ALLOWED TO “ADDRESS THE NATION”….OPPOSITION clowns can be allowed to hold press conferences but it shouldn’t be defined as ” addressing the Nation”….i remember pompwe HH used to do the same thing whilst in opposition said pompwe Lungu also is doing the same thing… Pompwe Lungu is free to hold a press conference and address his fellow pompwes in PF……

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  13. Obviously you don’t see things in their right perspective because you’re also very guilty of interference with the judiciary. Islamic teaching says when you give, give that which you’re also able to accept. When those judges declared you eligible to contest the 2021 elections you and your supporters celebrated but some of us were sad because the judiciary had been compromised. Only one judge made the correct judgement. Now that you’re being given a dosage of your own medicine you cry loudest. It’s now HH’s time to do what you did. Just sit down and accept your fate. Si Zambia ya nyoko!

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  14. A free and fair judiciary is critical for Zambia’s stability and prosperity. It is a state institution upon which our society depends to impart justice, without fear or favor. This applies to ordinary citizens, former presidents, corporate citizens, government employees, and now, judges themselves have been compelled to turn to the judiciary for judicial review of the JCC’s actions, underlining how crucial this institution is for Zambia to remain impartial. Parties change, as do Presidents but Institutions remains and we must be mindful of the larger national interests, whomsoever is in State House.

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  16. ……….

    Mr lungu……….

    Instead of these gymnastics you are engaging in to deviate attention…….

    Clear your name of the corruption allegations surrounding yourself……..

    How can someone who is being accused of grand corruption on an industrial scale expect to president ????

    You are creating smoke to deviate our attention, we want you to clear your name.

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  17. there is no collusion. Tell us why you refused drip to President Sata , your uncle and sent Kaseba to India and decided to fly to London. Mid air sad news. And you brought your name as chagwa meaning; it has fallen.

  20. You ZEDIANS upnd-worshippers above are so naive & no wonder you are in trouble economically. If ECL thug as you label him is nothing …why NOT beat him again through the ballot? There is no smoke without fire!!! You are all scared he will beat your villager hech hech hachimbwelele clean. Beat ECL at the polls & stop demonizing him with your tribal propaganda you evil praise singers!!!!! ZEDIANS have small minds!!!!

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  21. You ZEDIANS upnd-worshippers above are so naive & no wonder you are in trouble economically. If ECL thug as you label him is nothing …why NOT beat him again through the ballot?

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  22. Country men above are so naive & no wonder you are in problems economically. If ECL is nothing …why NOT beat him again through the ballot?

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  23. There is no smoke without fire. You are all scared he will beat your villager hech hech hachimbwelele clean.

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  24. Beat ECL at the polls & stop demonizing him with your tribal propaganda you evil praise singers!!!!! ZEDIANS have small minds!!!!

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  25. I see upnd cadres on this one are having a field day.. lack of wisdom makes a nation perish. We cannot stand-by & see the nation being on a reverse gear for a long time. Something has to give here. ZWAAAAAAAA. Salvation is coming for mother Zambia, it may not be ECL but Salvation is near!!!

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    • Advice lungu to provide recites…….

      What is so wrong and hard about this ???

      Fo…fo….Forwadee 2031……..

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  26. Nobody should ever stop ECL from contesting the 2026 elections using any method, clear or underhand. I will not vote for ECL myself but I will never stop his democratic right, a democratic right which was already pronounced by the court. The fear of ECL by the ruling party is so clear, even the UPND cadre who is posting the anti ECL messages here using different names knows this

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    • What is your position on the accusations of lungu having unaccounted for wealth suspected of being proceeds of
      corruption ???

      He cant prove where or how he got the wealth hence the forfeiture to the state. The burden of proff is on him to provide recites.

      How can we have such a person on the presidential ballot……???

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  27. Thank you Ngindo Ngindo, at least there is on Zambian who is reasonable not the upnd goons who are hungry & backward, ifiko fulu fulu

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  29. @UFIMBENUMA
    If you get 2 yellow cards you miss the final. Those are the rules.
    Why change the rules for ECL????

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  31. Very funny that two failures are fighting each other, with the current failure failing the most, but sadly no tangible alternatives either

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  32. ……..

    This is the weakness of zambias civil groups and watchdogs of democracy…….

    Advice the man to clear his name of the grand looting and corruption he is accused using to accumulate unaccounted for wealth……..

    If , God forbid, lungu becomes president with all those unanswered questions of corruption around him………

    Do we just accept corruption as normal in GRZ, or steal , just don’t get caught ….???

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    • Comon sensi

      Clear his name on property and money forfeited to the state.

      The burden of proof is with lungu to prove they are not proceeds of corruption and theft.

      No person who has legitimately aquired property would fail to provide a money trial

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  33. @SPAKA & your fellow un-travelled, un-exposed losers you the spokesman to this failure hec hech – ichunsu HH. I guess you are from Ingombe Ilede you dirt southerners. You guys are living in your own illusions, you will weep once you are voted out, you will have an egg over your tribalistic village faces!!!!!

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    • For us who are now called people from the Zambezi region. We are aware that we were marginalized under UNIP MMD and PF. Those from former North Eastern Rhodesia should realize that we came to be part of Zambia by the Agreement of 1964. I am seriously of the view that this agreement should be officially terminated. For us being part of Zambia is no longer viable and beneficial.

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    • Bambo…….

      Just provide recites and all will be well…..

      That’s the problem with thives……

      Always creating diversionary topics

    • Hehehe……

      Look at the hystericals after asking for proof of legitimacy of accumulated wealth…..

      You will not deviate us from asking with your insults and tribalism……

      We are here,

      Forwadee 2031……

  36. Is it not the same ECL that colluded with the judiciary then to rule in favour of him going for the third term. Now he is accusing the current of the same because he is aware it can be done since he also did it. What goes around, comes around.

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  37. KK produced and shaped for us three presidents namely Michael Sata, Rupiah Banda and Levy Mwanawasa plus many vice presidents. Sata shaped and allowed Lungu to grow to presidency. Who did Lungu train and shape up to become his successor? Zambia has not run out presidential material for ECL to keep thinking if he is not there, then no one can be president!!! kutumpa uko
    Why are you all happily looking down on your potentials and keep thinking without ECL, there is no Zambia?

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  39. I don’t like mediocre, clueless UPND and their HH, but corrupt lazy Lungu and his PF have no business seeking to come back into office. Yes Lungu was much better than HH, and that’s hard to say, but that doesn’t qualify him to come back. Lungu and his minions were absolutely corrupt. Lungu Wang Yu almost sold Zambia to his Chinese buddies. Both HH and Lungu don’t qualify to be anywhere near the Presidency. They’re two sides of the same coin. Stay retired Lungu Wang Yu. You tortured Zambians enough already, just like your unqualified buddy, HH, is currently doing, torturing and punishing Zambians with no electricity.

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