With love and respect, I write this letter to former President Edgar Chagwa Lungu (ECL), urging him to reflect deeply on his actions and those of his team, including his legal and media advisors. As a pastor, I request that my identity remains hidden to avoid any conflict of interest.
The most critical step for you, former President Lungu, is to conduct a thorough self-introspection, and the same should be expected of those around you. Here’s my perspective:
Firstly, the notion of a political comeback, particularly here in Zambia and across Africa, seldom works. Many thoughtful individuals have voiced this concern, and their advice should not be dismissed lightly. The reality is that attempting to return to power is a lost cause—an ill-fated project.
Secondly, the lawyers representing you are in it for business, not charity. The money spent on these legal battles is substantial. Please reconsider these decisions, Dad.
Thirdly, history offers many lessons. Consider the cases of Dr. Kenneth Kaunda versus Dr. Frederick Chiluba, Dr. Chiluba versus Dr. Levy Mwanawasa, and Dr. Rupiah Banda versus Michael Sata. None of these political figures succeeded in their attempts to return to power, despite having strong media support and connections, both locally and internationally. Yet, all their efforts were in vain.
Dad, it’s time to be honest with yourself. Many of those around you are well-educated, and they should be learning how to survive without further damaging your already fragile reputation. They are misleading you, pushing you to behave in ways that tarnish your legacy and diminish the respect you once held among former heads of state.
Take counsel from people like former President Thabo Mbeki. In the Bible, King Solomon destroyed himself by disregarding the elders and surrounding himself with the young and inexperienced. Perhaps it’s time to replace some of your current advisors, such as Emmanuel Mwamba and Raphael Nakacinda, with figures like Thabo Mbeki or former Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta.
My heartfelt advice is this: Do not heed the deceptive voices of those around you. Remember, you have already experienced the sweetness of power. But no matter how sweet sugar or honey is, no one can consume an entire kilogram or liter of it at once—it becomes unbearable. Safeguard your dignity and your resources rather than subject yourself to further disgrace.
In conclusion, the reality is that you are now a former president, and you no longer wield the power you once did. The way the police treat you is evidence of this. No matter how much you cry out through the media, His Excellency President Hakainde Hichilema will not be removed by the international community or superpowers. Just as you ruled for your term, your successor will also serve his.
Remember my words, Dad—you will understand them one day. It is time to redeem yourself.
With love,
A concerned citizen.
You will do well, ECL, to heed Concerned Citizen. Your comeback plans are going nowhere and you’re just wasting your ‘hard-earned’ money on greedy lawyers.
Let me put it straight, being a Pastor doesn’t in any way elevate your stature because most pastors, especially in the pentecost churches, and their bishops have no integrity, and includes Nervers Mumba Sekwila. Just speak as a citizen and there’s no need to hide your identity. You’re the same people that supported Lungu through Christians for Lungu. And we’re certain that one day you’ll betray HH. Just eat while there’s still plenty
Whilst this is wise advice who will speak for the people
Free speech has almost gone .. So this man whatever we think of him is bringing a few good points up
Try voicing some comments post here on the street and you in the cells Which they wont do to ECL
Which street? Give names and details of street people who are unable to talk? Yes, politicians talking deliberately to incite violence will be questioned by law enforcement and that is within the requirements of our laws.
You people first condemn HH for his heartless fight with Lungu instead of doing what he promised the Zambian people.I would do twice what the former president is doing if someone messed with my family
You should have played clean and not laundered wealth that the family can’t account for through the family.
This is not about persecution, this is about leaders behaving with propriety, the same investigations and prosecutions should be taken on HH if found wanting.
I think most Zambians are of the same view as
The pastor.Mr ECL just retire and enjoy state benefits as well as your personal wealth.Your
Followers are just after your wealth by cheering you wherever you go.
Bwana Lungu , even Kim Jong Un of North Korea doesn’t have a birth right to rule.Public office is a privilege and in democracy the interests of millions come above the desires of one man.
The fact that you’ll never make a political comeback is fait accompli.
I am not a fan of Edgar Lungu and I will never ever lecture to him on what to do or not to do. Firstly the man has every democratic right to come back without him being discouraged. Secondly no matter how one may feel very strongly about him not coming back, there are others who feel the opposite and very strongly that he should come back. For clarity and avoidance of doubt, Edgar Lungus come back can only be allowed or stopped through the ballot, that is the democracy we chose, and not ones sentiments on social media.
It’s not about sentiments, but about compliance with the constitution, what does having served 2 terms mean? What about being sworn in twice? Democracy has to be complied with within the rules that apply to it.
Let the law apply and yes not according to our sentiments.
Let the ECL practice his democratic right please. And whether Edgar Lungu comes back or HH continues, 80% of our people will continue wallowing in abject poverty, so what difference does it make to discourage one candidate over the other. Let democracy flow please, whether lawyers are eating his money or not is not the concern of the public.
“Mr. Edgar Lungu, like any other citizen in Zambia, has the right to participate in politics. While some may feel he should step aside, it remains his democratic right to be involved. In the end, it is the majority of Zambians who will decide through the ballot. I recall when HH kept losing elections, and some people said he should leave politics, that he would never lead the country. Yet, look who is president today.
We should never discourage others from participating. Let him go ahead and enjoy politics. In fact, if I were in Lungu’s shoes, I would likely act the same way, given the frustrations and the pressures his family is facing from the government.”
Let us focus on the economy and the energy crisis please, let ECL decide on what he wants. Nobody should decide for him, and for pastors let us concentrate on preaching salvation please.
In my opinion ECL failed to withstand the provocative actions from HH through law enforcement agencies and also the continued verbal assault by the president at every chance he gets to address people. He should have ignored all the nonsense… but then I am not him.
In Zambia, as usual discussing a person instead of focusing on real issues and probable solutions
ECL is Zambia with rights to do what he wants witching the confines of the law so leave him alone with his supporters. He’s not broken any laws and he’s chosen to leave his retirement salary and be active in politics and Zambians will choose via the ballot.
So with due respect your one sided shallow advice is in warranted. Try advise HH to honour his promises that’s all
In the spirit of true democratic rights ECL a right to aspire for office. But in the best interests of 18m Zambians that’s an untenable course.Take cue from President Joe Biden who saw it fit to put the interests of 334m Americans above his interests.
Knowledge of treasures! Knowledge of deposits of previous minerals! oh oh ooooo! To a special PF cartel ECL is known as an artificial moving key to hidden treasures or the custodian of kasaka kandalama. The cartel also knows how difficult it is for the ECL to felease the treasures to them. The only workable option is what they have done,ie to persuade hi to come back into politics and stand so tat he can release as much money as possible unconditionally to them for fake campaigns . Knowing also that campaign money doesn’t involve auditing . NIBAMULYEMULYE, THEY ARE NOT ADVISORS