Edgar Lungu, Zambia’s former president, fiercely condemned the Constitutional Court’s decision barring him from the 2026 elections. In his social media post, he accused the judiciary of being manipulated by political forces, prioritizing partisan interests over constitutional integrity. Lungu pointed to the strategic reshuffling of judges, claiming it was orchestrated to guarantee a pre-determined outcome.
He boldly activated “Plan B”, pledging a legal and political fight to restore democracy. Lungu vowed that true power lies with the people, not with a few ruling elites, and he insisted that Zambia’s democracy would ultimately prevail. His post sent a clear message: Zambia’s political battle is far from over, and democracy’s future will be shaped by the determination of its citizens. below is his Post word for word from his facebook page
MY RESPONSE TO THE CONSTITUTIONAL COURT JUDGEMENT TODAY
Ladies and gentlemen of our beloved nation, esteemed members of the press, fellow patriots, and all who hold dear the principles of justice and constitutional democracy:
We find ourselves at a critical juncture in our nation’s history, a moment marked by deep reflection and, I dare say, a profound sense of our common identity and destiny. The verdict rendered today was expected. For months, the hands of political manipulation have, with undeniable force, steered us toward a conclusion foreseen not by the merits of reasoned argument or constitutional fidelity but by the weight of orchestrated design and political machinations. We kept on monitoring this!
To understand the gravity of this moment, we must revisit the sequence of events that brought us here. It began with a petition that sought to exclude me from the political arena—not through the natural verdict of the people on the ballot paper, but by the calculated intervention of political forces sponsored by political players. It unfolded with the reshaping of our Constitutional Court, the displacement of arbiters of justice, and the narrowing of judicial voices to fit a predetermined script.
Yes, specific judges were expelled in order to retain specific judges specifically for today’s judgment! We saw decisions cloaked in procedural justifications concocted by that same unmistakable hand of expediency. Judges were removed, some silenced, others promoted, and the very architecture of our judiciary reshaped to align with partisan imperatives. Of course, we all witnessed calculated judicial reshuffles by politicians for their plane to land here today.
And so, you have heard for yourselves, the verdict has been issued, declaring that my eligibility to stand in the 2026 elections is nullified by the weight of the court’s decision. I accept this verdict. I accept it not with resignation but with resolve. This is because this verdict transcends the fate of Edgar Chagwa Lungu. It speaks to the erosion of judicial independence, the weakening of our democratic foundations, and the weaponisation of our institutions for short-term gain.
But, my fellow countrymen and women, know this: from this blatant manipulation and disenfranchisement, a new resolve is born. Democracy, my fellow citizens, is not merely a system of governance but the lifeblood of our national identity. And therefore today, I declare that Plan B has been set in motion and Plan B shall legally fight to defeat and win for Zambians. Trust me, I in the spirit of democracy and Zambians shall win in and with Plan B!
This is not a retreat. It is not surrender. It is a recalibration of our efforts towards the sacred task of strengthening our democratic path. Plan B is rooted in the principle that democracy must prevail as a reality for every citizen of this land. Plan B is based on the enduring ideal that power must always reside with the people. Plan B will prove that no machination can extinguish the power of the Zambian people and that institutions must serve the public, not the ambitions of a few.
Let me assure you, I am filled not with bitterness but with renewed determination, political hope and faith that democracy, not court politics shall certainly win in 2026 without any doubt. We must show the world that Zambia’s democracy cannot be extinguished by a manipulated verdict. Zambians shall win and celebrate very soon, not few ruling elites through their proxies!
To those who believe they have triumphed today, I say this: history is a patient judge. The true verdict will be rendered not in the chambers of a court but in the hearts of the people of Zambia, and the annals of time.
My fellow Zambians, let us walk forward together with dignity and resolve. Let us prove that our democracy, though tested in this moment, will emerge stronger.
Today, Plan B goes into motion and democracy will prevail as well as win! Thank you, and may God bless our beloved Zambia.
Edgar Changwa Lungu
Sixth President of Zambia
PF President and Tonse Alliance 2026 Presidential Candidate
Tiye uko iwe lumpen! We are not short of better men than you. The country does not revolve around you. Yes I am not happy about a lot of things like cost of living and tribalism but you are certainly NOT the solution. Voetsek!!!
You too
Imagine that. We are not short of leaders. Let this crook go please.
I wonder what HH is scared of from Lazy Lungu. I didnt think Lungu could win any election post 2021 but with the scared silly attitude of HH I realise Lungu can emulate buffoon Trump. Its very possible.
For some of us and we are many, both Lungu and HH arent fit for State House because one is incorrigible, the other is plain dumb he cant think without the West. Africa in the 21st century doesnt want such leadership. Like we did with Chiluba who like HH thought the President controls the court, Zambians should now show HH that the elections are not done in court.
Let him be beaten at the polls. Not in Courts that spent time at dark corner meetings in Community House.
When he was in power he was declared eligible by the same court, when out of power he is declared not eligible by the same court. How is that
You can only hold office a limited number of times……..
FWD2031
Dont forget that these abuses of the courts started with Lungu appoiting unqualified judges whom he later threatened and had to gather somewhere jn a bar to write a ruling that favored his third term bid
Today’s ruling is unprecedented and further cements the reputation of a Zambia that is governed by the rule of law.It is yet another beacon of a democractic country to be emulated by other African countries
Every one already knew that ECL was sworn in twice.Only ec’s lawyers and those sycophants whose very breath is entirely dependent on ECL Alebwelelapo were dillusional
The Muppet show? The Hypocrisy show?
The case is over and if I were Lungu I would forget about it. I hope that if a strong candidate emerges the Upnd won’t try to block him….. like oh he never paid taxes or something else.
@independent cadre..That decision has been vacated because it didn’t address certain constitutional matters.
I agree with you totally. Where as I may not be a supporter of ECL, am a supporter of the right thing. How indeed on earth does a court go against it’s on ruling? What does it mean? ECL was wrongly on the ballot? Was the term served to complete MCS’s term being counted as a term? What is a term according to the Constitution? I smell something fishy!
The problem is this constitution which has multiple meanings, on…..
Depending who you are………
How can a whole country have a constitution that can be interpreted differently ?¿?
It’s constitution signed away by the same lungu……….
That being said, lungu needs to be proving he is not a theif by providing receipts……….
not trying to manipulate the constitution…….
Busy trying to comeback to finish where he left off borrowing………
FWD2031
Hopefully soneone will save us in 2026
This Lungu is a curse. He needs excorcism.
Good riddance! Let him go to Chawama
Your 7 years in power was a disaster and zambia does not deserve another disasterous stinct, lets remind the first debt default for zambia in the democratic dispensation, more ex-judicial killings by the state, the worst rule of law record your cadres could walk into central Police and embarass officers in uniform, increased inequality in zambia since independence just look at your home chawama the poverty is glearing, the most useless CiC in history how do collapse in front of men in uniform, your cadres ran the municipalities gave plots and land without the council’s knowledge, the worst tribalistic tendencies in recruitment, business and civil service such as retiring people from the zambezi provinces only. You must be shameful of your legacy ……..
……..for the first time in the history of zambia, citizens were being lynched and burned alive on our streets during the gassing hysteria…….
Like In scenes from soweto , I cried for my country when I saw those image’s…….
All Under lungus watch…..
Plan B? Lol
You should have used plan A,B,C …..Z when you were in charge of this country for TWO (2) terms.
When your cadres were maiming, hacking the public, wanton theft of public resources, collapsing the economy of Zambia, those people that were killed in political violence – fixing these thing should have been ur plan for Zambia!
Only today you are starting to sound Christian, spiritual?
Plan B must mean divorcing Nakachinda and Lubinda to become a respected statesman.Otherwise,you are headed for jail
Fear
In their efforts to correct past mistakes, the UPND has caused more harm than the original wrongdoing. Upholding the rule of law is far more important than the outcome of this single case, yet the government has trampled over it without any regard for the impact on the judiciary. This abuse of the courts for narrow party interests undermines both national interests and the stability of Zambia.
How?
Agree totally!
How? You should have left Lungu to run. After all you claim he is weak. Unless the UPND actually knows he is too strong for them. Ni bukuwe..
UPND now becomes the first ruling party to hide from an opponent using the judiciary.
Leave the judiciary out it. Do your own constitutional review and effect the changes you want.
Just point out where the cc errored with the verdict, or shut up. Was ba lungu not voted twice, to hold office?
No one is above the law!!!
Are you real?
Let’s focus on discussing citizen participation in the economy and the economic emancipation of our people from poverty, disease ignorance and superstitions. Too much energy is being devoted to discussing political personalities in Zambia. The country is one of the richest in terms of resources but for the last 60 years investment has been in politicians.
Why does this guy think we need him? The leader that brought lawlessness and criminality still thinks he should get back in the leadership seat? Please!!!
Sir …..please go away!
Why does this guy think we need him? The leader that brought lawlessness and criminality still thinks he should get back in the leadership seat? Please
Sir …..please go and rest. Retire
Someone mentioned we are not short of leaders ??
Does he live in Zambia
We have a critical shortage of honourable leaders
Thats because you are not looking. There are 24 million Zambians. No way that they can’t have a leader whatever social theory you apply.
Thats because you are not looking. There are 24 million Zambians. No way that they can’t have a leader whatever social theory you apply.
What principles of justice and constitutional democracy is this alcoholic lumpen talking about? “Wena Lungu, utuhela sipinya-tuna safuchu sahao sitongwani tuwe!” What part of “having been sworn into office twice before” don’t you understand you dimwit! You shall never rule again, kufelile, kwamana, kwasila.
His complaining of manipulation of the judiciary. The same could be said about how they allowed him to stand in 2021 when he had already been sworn in twice.
When plan B fails try Plan C until all plans are
Exhausted.
Now Now Lungu is bound to attract a following that he never had before this court case.
Absolutely more will follow him
I dont know much about the constitution and all the clauses
and I doubt many on here do
However I do know a lot of high court, lower courts and magistrates give very strange verdicts at times
and for this reason i am a fence sitter for the moment
And if the constitution changes as a result of this campaign of Ejiga it could become Echi Echi 2051! And it would be Mr Lungu’s own genius fault. Better to park ku tarven bugs bunny
After calling the Presidential Pension crumbs. Now God will put you in your place. Arrogance doesnt pay…plan B? Ok!
Olila samvala pakamwa. A man in mourning should be allowed to wail, lament and sabaila. Will use plan B, we are resoved, Zambians, I will use plan C if B is is circumvented by courts, will talk to judges etc……..eh! Chawama calling.
Talk about the speck in someone’s eye and forgetting the log in your own eye. ECL the Christian! Because of such dimwits, we are where we are. Looks like we are still sinking! Where is that Zambian that will have pain in the heart when s/he sees fellow Zambians wallowing in extreme poverty and do something about it!?!
Which ever Sangoma told Lungu he is going back to State House saw something wrong in his horoscope, that wall fence the Sangoma saw is the one at Chimbokaila, not Plot 1. Jameson kunya lwakwa Noah, konji ayo inyelele mwa tolongo.
Time to retire and have some rest father
Apa nomba ni picture no sound until April 2026
Hahaha , pride came before Lungu and now Lungu is coming after the fall.Remember how you PF thugs used these same courts to persecute former president Rupiah Banda ?
The stage is set…we warned you that playing with the US is like jumping into a volcanic eruption. It will be interesting to see which candidate the Republican party will sponsor in 2026. I wonder if Nambia as Trump called it will press on with business as usual or opt for a candidate of their own. The storm is brewing in plot 1’s tea cups in this proxy w@r of resource looting.
Zambia can not survive another tenure of ECL ! No time for dipsomaniacs,kleptomaniacs,political violence and myopic leadership .Good riddance!
fifteen (15) flats, 50 state of the art motor vehicles vx, gx, etc. 3 Filling stations, 600 hectares of land fenced off six fish ponds, four storey house, house, poultry house flats…all with no real income …oh a blessee with two mansions in secluded area, 60 million cash, foreign currency…..all in seven years…from rags to riches in public office hey who would not be crying ….come on economic crimes hammer them
Mr Lungu you are not BARRED from participating in the forth coming elections the fact is you are not ELIGIBLE!
NO THIRD TERM all past Presidents who tried third term failed to succeed.
How can you?
@ ‘Plan B’ my @$$! Which Plan B is this? Talk about delusi0nal, this guy really thinks he was actually good president for Zambia, are you kidding me? Edgar Lungu thinks he is the Zambian Trump wannabe… he is not!
Yes I hate our Executive branches control of our Judiciary, but Lungu started this himself. That ConCourt ruling that effectively tried hand him a 3rd term was itself flawed and political so this merely Karma!
Man should be tried for his many crimes committed while he president, including corruption.