CHALI MULENGA
Livingstone
The Patriotic Front (PF) has defended the election of its new president, Makebi Zulu, despite his failure to secure a single vote in Livingstone, with the party admitting the outcome exposes deeper structural and organisational challenges.
PF media director Chilufya Mwewa said in Lusaka yesterday that while the party respects the outcome of the just-ended convention, the results did not fully reflect the party’s expectations across all districts.
Mr Mwewa acknowledged that Mr Zulu polled zero votes in Livingstone, a result he described as being “in the public domain”, and urged the newly elected leader to treat it as a signal of the work ahead in rebuilding the party’s grassroots support.
“I will be very honest, the results have not come out the way we wanted in certain areas. The president got zero in Livingstone, and this is public information. It shows there is a lot of work to be done,” he said.
He, however, stressed that PF remains united and that the leadership contest should not divide members, describing the intra-party election as part of a broader political struggle.
“This is not a personal battle for any individual. It is a fight for the country, and every member has a role to play,” Mr Mwewa said.
He called on losing candidates and their supporters to rally behind Mr Zulu, noting that the party had emerged from a turbulent period marked by internal divisions and external pressure from the ruling United Party for National Development (UPND).
Mr Mwewa also cited unresolved internal challenges, including the party’s administrative and legal difficulties, as factors contributing to the current state of the former ruling party.
He further referenced the death of former president Edgar Lungu, saying the party was still grappling with the aftermath and urging members to focus on unity and rebuilding.
“We are coming from a difficult background. We have lost our leader, and as a party, we must now look beyond ourselves and focus on the suffering Zambian,” he said.
Mr Mwewa appealed to former members who had defected to return to the PF, adding that the party was opening its structures to new recruits, particularly in the youth wing.
He warned that politics in PF should not be viewed as a source of personal gain but as a platform for service and sacrifice.
“Politics is not a job opportunity. It is about volunteering and sacrifice. Those who want to join us must come with that mindset,” he said.
Mr Mwewa also invoked the legacy of PF founder Michael Sata, saying the party remained anchored on its founding principles despite current challenges.
He expressed confidence that under Mr Zulu’s leadership, PF would reorganise and position itself as a viable political force ahead of future elections.
And PF Livingstone Constituency Youth Chairperson Harrison Simakumba has called for unity among party members and urged youths across Southern Province to rally behind newly elected PF president Makebi Zulu following the party’s recent convention.
Mr Simakumba said party members in the constituency have resolved to support Mr Zulu, describing his election as a unifying moment for the former ruling party.
He said despite the contest that characterised the convention, the outcome had produced one winner who deserves the backing of all members.
“We want to show solidarity to the one who came out as winner at the convention. I also want to thank all those who participated,” Mr Simakumba said.
He urged losing candidates and their supporters not to withdraw from party activities but instead remain active and work towards strengthening the PF.
“My message to all candidates is that don’t back out. Continue to support Mr Zulu because he is the one who has emerged as winner. There can only be one winner,” he said.
Mr Simakumba said representatives from the constituency and other districts were in agreement on the need to unite and rebuild the party ahead of future political activities.
He appealed to district youth chairpersons across Southern Province to mobilise young people and consolidate support for Mr Zulu’s leadership.
“This is the time to work together. I am appealing to all district youth chairpersons to unite the youths and rally behind Mr Zulu, who is now the president of the Patriotic Front,” he said.
Mr Simakumba further called for intensified grassroots mobilisation, urging party structures to actively campaign and market Mr Zulu, particularly among young voters.
He said the PF needed to leverage its youthful membership base to regain political strength, noting that Mr Zulu represents the aspirations of young people within the party.
“We need to go on the ground, mobilise and market Mr Zulu. He is a youth just like us, and we need the youthful vote from all districts in Southern Province,” he said.
The PF recently held its convention at which Mr Zulu was elected president, setting the stage for renewed mobilisation efforts within party structures across the country.
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