By Alexander Vomo
Amos Chanda, the former Press and Public Relations Aide to President Edgar Lungu, has recently taken center stage in Zambian politics not for noble reasons, but for what appears to be a desperate attempt at self-preservation. His so-called “revelations” are not an act of courage or transparency but a calculated move to rewrite his own legacy while betraying the very principles he once claimed to uphold.
For years, Chanda was the mouthpiece of the Patriotic Front (PF), a staunch defender of Edgar Lungu’s presidency. He stood at the front lines, justifying policies, defending decisions, and silencing critics. Yet today, in a dramatic turn of events, he has become the very thing he once despised—a vocal critic of the administration he loyally served.
The irony is glaring: Chanda is now revealing “dark secrets” from his time in power, yet he was not merely an observer—he was an active participant. He has confessed to actions that, in any serious democracy, could be classified as treasonous—including usurping presidential powers for personal gain. These are not mere accusations from his opponents; they are his own admissions. If the UPND government truly believes in the rule of law, they should not be giving him a platform to cleanse himself in the court of public opinion. Instead, they should be handing him over to law enforcement for thorough investigation.
But the most troubling aspect of Chanda’s sudden “change of heart” is not just the confessions—it is his convenient timing. He is not exposing these alleged secrets out of a sense of duty to the people of Zambia. Rather, he is repackaging himself, attempting to align with the ruling government of President Hakainde Hichilema, hoping to find a place at the high table once again. If he could turn on Lungu so easily, what stops him from doing the same to Hichilema when it suits his ambitions?
In politics, loyalty defines a man. Chanda has shown that his loyalty is not to a cause, a leader, or the Zambian people—it is to himself. Today, he speaks against Lungu; tomorrow, he may speak against Hichilema. Such a man cannot be trusted. His words are not those of a whistleblower but of an opportunist, seeking relevance in a game where his influence has waned.
Zambians must ask themselves: Why now? Why is Chanda suddenly unearthing classified information that he swore to protect? If he truly had the nation’s best interests at heart, why did he not speak out when he had the power to make a difference? The answer is simple—his actions are not about justice, but about self-preservation.
If the rule of law is to mean anything in Zambia, then Chanda must not be treated as a political pawn. He must be held accountable for his confessions. True justice does not pick and choose when to act—it holds all guilty parties to the same standard, no matter their newfound alliances.
Chanda’s fate should serve as a lesson: Those who betray one master for personal gain will eventually betray the next. The question is—will Zambia allow itself to be deceived?
Should the Government Be Paying Attention to Amos Chanda?
Amos Chanda’s dramatic confessions have certainly stirred political debate, but the real question is—why should the Zambian people care? While Chanda seeks to cleanse himself in the public eye, ordinary Zambians are struggling to afford mealie meal, fuel, and basic necessities. The cost of living has skyrocketed, and the very campaign promises that brought UPND to power remain largely unfulfilled.
The bigger issue here is not Chanda’s betrayal of Edgar Lungu, but rather, the government’s failure to focus on what truly matters. If UPND has time to entertain a political opportunist like Chanda, then surely they have time to address the economic crisis facing the nation.
Instead of parading a self-confessed political mercenary before the media, the UPND government should be answering real questions:
• What happened to the promises of cheaper fuel and affordable mealie meal?
• Where are the jobs that were promised to young people?
• Why is the kwacha struggling despite all assurances of economic recovery?
• How does Amos Chanda’s political maneuvering help a struggling Zambian family put food on the table?
Amos Chanda is not Zambia’s problem—the economy is. If the UPND truly wants to win back public trust, they must stop entertaining political defectors and start delivering on their promises.
At the end of the day, no amount of political distraction can change the reality on the ground. Zambians are feeling the pain of economic hardship. Chanda may be making headlines today, but the cost of living crisis is what will determine the next election. If UPND does not refocus on the people’s needs, they risk losing more than just popularity, they risk losing power.
Amos Chanda is a Politician and don’t forget that there’s no loyalty in Politics….these guys betray each other day in day out….Canisius Banda was once HH”s right hand man…and what happened and where is he now???? All Politicians are full of kak….and don’t be surprised if Gary Nkombo forms his own party and joines Tonse Alliance tomorrow
Is it true that HH has just dropped him like a hot potato? Citing the fact that if he can squeal on Lungu he could do the same with UPND!
Politicians always backstabbing each other..
Poisoning each other…..
Killing each other….Remember what happened to late Morgan Tswangirai….the man was poisened….what happened to Baldwin Nkumbula….what happened to Paul Tembo…..Ronald Penza etc
Andrew Lubusha used to be Lungu’s right man in the Eastern Province but today he is eating with HH…Kelvin Sampa used to be Lungu’s right hand man in Northern Province but today he is busy kissing HH’s assss…..Politics of the belly
Thats what hunger can do…..when it comes to hunger there’s no loyalty….so these thieving Politicians they don’t invest the stolen money so that they can sustain themselves once they’re out of power….how come they’ll and up broke….Gary Nkombo just one out of office and he will start looking like gunyu masaka
Andrew Lubusha, Kelvin Sampa, Robert Chabinga,Sunday Chanda, Frank Bwalya and Amos Chanda are all from the same cloth
And Nevers Mumba
And Miles Sampa
The writer is mentally challenged……
We what to read about chandas revelations,……..
not debating about his actions if they are wrong or right……..most people don’t give a darn about that………
Again, UPND need to concentrate on highlighting to the nation the lungu billions……including faith musondas money suit cases
FWD2031
It seems you don’t understand the implications of Chanda’s rantings. What happens in government remains in government offices just like bedroom matters… once a woman reveals her husband’s secrets no sane man will want to associate with her. Same with Amos Chanda… soon as you confide in him your Upnd matters, you have dug yourself a political pit. Because when he’s disillusioned with you, he will do the same he’s doing now.
In civilized societies he would be arrested for breaking his oath of office… doesn’t matter who’s in government because government matters cannot be revealed anyhow.
And perhaps highlight that HH may not be the right man to head UPND
there is a lot of discontent around which can only get worse as the year progresses
@Anonymous has a far better way of assessing the situation than I
Deja Vu
He can’t be arrested for revealing crimes of stealing
FED2031
#Spaka. You must be living on Mars. Chanda is facing massive corruption charges and he feels by ” revealing” this garbage he will be spared prison. You should feel ashamed to think the way you are thinking. So to you anyone who joins your party is automatically cleansed? I am now convinced that these people you are arresting will have their cases dropped as soon as they join you… meaning they are actually innocent… confirmed by your party.
For once De Ja Vu you have articulated something correctly, and with clear rationality. (Referring to your last comment). If the broken institution need to show that they are working, They need to uphold the standards on which they were created. If the law is to be respected. The law should be upheld and not be subjective. Those that are making it be subjective and personal; need to be removed.
And the Almighty Supreme leader Ayatollah Hakainde Hichilema is now busy embracing the same people he labeled as “a clique of thieves ” …..isn’t Amos Chanda the same guy who used to laugh at poor Zambians and boasting that he gives his girlfriends tones of dollars to do business…so in short HH is also a Bandit….show me your friends and I will tell you who you are
Don’t worry we mow have a chance to know the truth about the pregnancy rumors sooner or later.
@Anonymous is that a fact? And how can you say that with certainity?
We love to make assumptions, grope at another that suggests a story is true, yet its not. Stop being a kachepa. No different from Emmauel Mwamba who day in and out tries so hard to be relevant with innuendo.
Amos Chanda has his reasons for recent outbursts. As De Ja vu says, lets wait and see. Whatever Chanda is up to, will soon reveal itself. Lets not speculate and play all knowing God.
Amos has been a nonentity from the beginning, sad that this accident of him being privileged to have been found in higher offices happened
Kano nganenko who should be privileged
“I destroy my enemies when I make them my friends.”
They are all Zambians and they should be given chance to correct mistakes and start afresh and even go higher if they are able.
ahmmmmn! me i am worried. Why now!
Who ever advised to recruit Amos Chanda on their information team must rethink. This the lowest level of slander you can think of.
Why is he a risk to himself, everyone and the entire nation?
Just mention one Politician who died Rich and left millions for his family and they’re still enjoying the money…None…zero..nada…all the stolen money disappears as soon as they lose power or as soon as they die….STOP STEALING….STOP CORRUPTION…PLANT TREES
It’s sad but I have seen most press officers miss the power once they are out … some pretend to become spin doctors, others write cosmetic books … others squeal like uyu ndani… but even Mai doti knows better … heneway … perhaps ecl now sees what he was warned about but wisdom was not in his ear
Amos is a let down after eating with both hands he now begins to croak ? This is a sad day for politics…KK was a very shrewd political animal…all appointments were carefully screened ofcourse he had one or two favorites but he was careful how he made them lead…he warned us about governor material becoming a head of state…we voted…he warned us about lies in the morning, afternoon and evening we voted…he warned as about going to the dark days of offshoots of poverty including, nepotism, tribalism, ethnicity and clan…he preached ‘one zambia one nation’…we voted
But where did UNIP and KK slogans take us. Nowhere.
Zambian politics is very depressing. The opposition is currently urging the Government to address the issues relating to cost of living. In my opinion they are missing a good opportunity. They should come up with policies that will address the cost of living. That way I think they will stand a good chance. That is if they capable of proposing good alternatives. Zambians should also realise that it can be very bad to destroy the economy because measures to correct it can be painful and that is what we are experiencing now.
You cannot compare the days of KK with any other he really cared about people…slogans help you UNIP gave free education, jobs in the parastatal, security wings, grz, private jobs galore…we assembled cars from leyland, fiat, toyota, mazda, landrover…yes he over stayed but the ones who took over???? if you cannot see where UNIP got us you need prayers