PF Divided By Infighting Over Lungu Succession

The opposition Patriotic Front is being torn apart by fights over who will succeed the late Republican President Edgar Lungu as the party’s leader, barely a week after the former President died in South Africa.

On Wednesday evening, PF Secretary General Raphael Nakacinda told a press briefing that the party was standing strong as figures within the organisation jockey for control. 

“We will not allow attempts based on trivial consideration, petty consideration or unquenchable appetite for leadership to destabilise the party,” Nakacinda said.

Although former Justice Secretary Given Lubinda is technically acting president of the Patriotic Front, the party has failed to rally behind a single, central figure after the Constitutional Court ruled in December that President Lungu was ineligible to contest the 2026 elections, having already been elected to the presidency on two separate occasions.

This left the PF without a clear succession plan and the party has not announced who, if anyone, it will be backing as president for the upcoming elections, which are now just over a year away.

“Those who have ambitions to hold the leadership position of the party, tame yourselves until we choose leaders to run in 2026,” Nakacinda said. “Anyone who was creating division and violence will not be tolerated.”

Meanwhile, former Vice President Inonge Wina has advised the government not to react to negative statements coming from the PF and President Lungu’s family, saying that they are simply devastated by his passing. She also warned individuals within her own party to not use the late president’s death for political advantage.

President Lungu’s remains are currently still in South Africa, awaiting repatriation back to Zambia. The government has sent envoys to South Africa to support the Lungu family and make arrangements for the president’s funeral.

An official period of mourning remains in effect until Sunday.