Robert M. Chabinga, the Member of Parliament for Mafinga and Leader of the Opposition in Parliament, holds significant legal power within the Patriotic Front (PF), a status often referred to as 'lugwalo'. As the legally recognized PF office bearer at the Registrar of Societies, Chabinga's position contrasts sharply with the lack of official documentation for figures like Lubinda or various aspirants. This legal standing has earned him the nickname 'Mr Lugwalo' and is seen as a more potent force in current Zambian politics than popular support or public demonstrations.

Chabinga, who notably collaborated with Miles Sampa in 2023 to take over the PF before subsequently outmaneuvering Sampa, is reportedly preparing a decisive move: a court injunction to halt the Lubinda-led convention. Such a measure would effectively split the PF into two distinct legal entities – one based on crowd support and another on official documentation. Chabinga has already issued a warning, stating, “There will be no PF convention. The convention has already taken place. I am in charge.” This declaration, initially met with derision by some, is taken seriously by those who understand the legal ramifications. The financial backing of individuals like Makebi, the parliamentary numbers of Mundubile, or the presence of prominent figures such as Nkandu Luo, Jean Kapata, or Mumbi Phiri, cannot supersede the authority of the Registrar of Societies. The PF faces a structural dilemma: those with ground support lack the necessary legal documents, while Chabinga, who reportedly lacks widespread public support, possesses the crucial paperwork.

Politically, Chabinga is a paradox. Hardliners within the PF view him as an ally of the United Party for National Development (UPND), accusing him of a marriage of convenience with State House to destabilize the PF from within, especially after he endorsed President Hichilema for continuity. However, those close to him suggest he is playing a long game, prioritizing control over popular appeal. Behind his calm demeanor lies a calculating strategist whose legal leverage could dictate who participates in a potential convention, or even if one can be legitimately held. Without his signature, any PF convention risks electing a president incapable of legally signing documents or transacting on behalf of the party, representing an existential threat to its functionality. The primary fear within the PF base is that if Chabinga proceeds with an injunction, the party will fracture into a political PF governed by delegates and a legal PF controlled by official paperwork – a scenario that has historically led to the collapse of former ruling parties across Africa, not through electoral defeat, but through internal legal disputes. This underscores the critical importance of controlling the official stamp, a weapon Chabinga currently wields.

In a separate context, Mumbi Phiri has expressed strong confidence in Hon. Makebi Zulu's leadership abilities, believing he possesses the capacity to restore the PF to government and secure victory in the 2026 general elections. During a radio interview, Phiri specifically urged Zulu to prioritize the completion of the hospital project in Lusaka’s Chalala area, originally donated by the late King Abdullah Aziz of Saudi Arabia. She also advocated for the revival of the nuclear power initiative in Chongwe, which was halted by the current administration. Phiri highlighted the nuclear project’s potential to transform Zambia’s energy landscape and stimulate economic growth, asserting that Zulu's leadership would usher in economic recovery and significantly improve citizen welfare.

Hon. Makebi Zulu, in his own recent radio appearance, addressed the incident in Chingola where President Hakainde Hichilema’s motorcade was subjected to stone-throwing. While condemning the violence as unfortunate and unacceptable, stating he wouldn't wish it on his 'worst enemy,' he attributed such incidents to deeper societal and economic frustrations. Zulu argued that citizens, feeling stifled by excessive restrictions like cyber security laws, lacked proper avenues to express grievances, leading to bottled-up emotions. He suggested the people of Chingola were reacting to the severe economic difficulties, particularly affecting livelihoods on the Copperbelt. He criticized the government's response, implying Zambia's peace relies on individual personalities rather than robust institutions, and emphasized that adherence to law should not be a 'favour' but a mandatory principle. Zulu stressed the need to restore confidence in institutions and ensure decisions are guided by principle, not political expediency, advocating for a single application of the rule of law irrespective of political affiliation.

The conversation with Hon. Makebi Zulu then shifted to the ongoing energy crisis, which he labeled as one of the current government's most significant failures. He enumerated several power generation projects initiated or planned under the previous Patriotic Front administration that were subsequently abandoned. These included the Lusiwasi Dam, the Katete Wind Power Project, the Chongwe Nuclear Power Plant, the Kapombo Hydro Plant, the Luapula Power Project, and the Shiwa Hydro Power upgrade. Zulu contended that the correct implementation of these projects, which aimed to provide power sources for different provinces, would have averted the current crisis. He posited that the PF government focused on provincial power self-sufficiency, and the cessation of these projects exacerbated the national energy shortage, famously stating, “If it’s not broken, don’t fix it. There was nothing to fix. The projects were already working for the good of the country.”

Furthermore, Hon. Makebi Zulu accused the government of enabling politically connected companies to purchase electricity at low rates from ZESCO and then resell it across borders for profit. He questioned why ZESCO itself was not benefiting from power exports and argued that this practice deprives the national utility of income, leaving ordinary Zambians grappling with higher costs and extended periods of load shedding, reaching up to twenty-one hours. He dismissed the government's explanation that the crisis was solely due to drought, reminding that droughts also occurred during the PF era without reaching such extreme levels of load shedding. Zulu noted that the PF had already begun addressing climate change impacts through projects like the nuclear initiative, which was not rainfall-dependent. He linked the energy shortage directly to the rising cost of living, explaining that power outages compel businesses like butcheries, salons, and welding shops to incur expensive fuel costs, which are then passed on to consumers, further inflating prices.

Throughout his interview, Hon. Makebi Zulu maintained a steady, detailed, and practical tone, deliberately avoiding personal attacks to focus on systemic issues, governance, and viable solutions. He concluded by invoking the late President Edgar Lungu’s message of hope, affirming that hope remains for Zambia to improve its judiciary, civil service, and economy. He underscored the possibility of returning to a path of development through unity and collective action. His initial radio appearance following the filing of his presidential papers clearly indicated a candidate determined to frame Zambia’s challenges as structural failures rather than personal shortcomings, offering a vision of restoring the rule of law, revitalizing energy projects, and rebuilding national systems to ensure the country's functionality.