Former Information Minister and government spokesperson Dora Siliya has strongly articulated her view that independent presidential candidates and politicians who frequently switch political parties in pursuit of the presidency are unlikely to provide effective national leadership. Her statement comes amid a notable trend in Zambia where several aspiring presidential candidates have been observed moving between political parties or opting to contest as independents to reach the country’s highest office.

Dr. Siliya emphasized that such politicians often lack the fundamental qualities required for credible political leadership, including patience, discipline, and consistency. She asserted that politics should not be perceived as a shortcut to power or a matter of “chancing,” but rather as a long-term career meticulously built upon influence, experience, loyalty, and unwavering commitment. According to Dr. Siliya, robust leadership is cultivated organically within political parties, where individuals have the opportunity to learn from senior figures, progressively gain governance experience, and develop a profound institutional understanding over time.

She firmly believes that politics should never revolve solely around personal ambition or the mindset of “I must become president at all costs,” irrespective of the political platform being utilized. Dr. Siliya issued a warning that such an approach reflects selfishness, excessive individualism, and a blatant disregard for fundamental democratic principles—tendencies she considers potentially harmful to the nation’s stability and progress. She further underscored that politics must be inherently grounded in teamwork and collective responsibility. This conviction underpins her lack of support for independent presidential candidates, particularly at the highest level.

Posing a rhetorical question, Dr. Siliya challenged the viability of such leadership: “If you cannot find people to follow you within a political party, how can you effectively lead a government and a nation?” She stressed that “Collective responsibility must begin at political party level.” While acknowledging that there might be occasional, good exceptions for independent candidates at lower levels of politics, she steadfastly maintained that serious, long-term politicians should diligently build their careers within established party structures. It is within these structures, she argued, that influence and credibility are earned gradually through consistent effort, rather than sought overnight.

To illustrate her point, Dr. Siliya cited examples of long-serving international politicians who dedicated decades to party politics and legislative service before ascending to presidential roles, showcasing how leadership is meticulously built over extended periods. She specifically mentioned figures like Joe Biden, who spent numerous years within their party and in the U.S. Congress from a young age, thereby learning from senior leaders and acquiring invaluable experience and institutional memory. While acknowledging that individuals can and do change political parties, Dr. Siliya concluded that consistency in party politics forms the bedrock of good democratic governance. It must never be solely about “me and me alone” or about achieving the presidency at all costs, regardless of the platform, as such an approach risks an individualistic path and a failure to appreciate basic democratic party principles, which she views as a dangerous trajectory for the nation.