Zambia’s opposition is preparing for the 2026 elections with renewed focus, revisiting the 2021 polls and scrutinizing the late President Edgar Chagwa Lungu’s victories and the nation’s democratic processes. Speaking recently, Robert Chibanga questioned how a sitting President, with access to state resources, could secure electoral wins with relatively small margins—fewer than 200,000 votes in 2015 and approximately 100,000 in a subsequent contest—arguing that a truly strong leader should command support in the millions. President Lungu, Zambia’s sixth head of state, passed away on June 5, 2025, in South Africa during a routine medical visit.

Amidst this reflection, concerns have emerged over what critics describe as a “state-sponsored project” allegedly aimed at weakening the Patriotic Front (PF) and splitting votes in northern regions, threatening the neutrality of the state and the integrity of multiparty democracy. Observers urge the opposition to remain vigilant and united, emphasizing that such maneuvers are rooted in political desperation rather than principle.

Political commentators also highlighted attempts by some individuals to claim association with the late President Lungu and assert control over his legacy. The PF clarified that the membership of seconded officials within the Tonse Alliance—including Lungu himself—remained under the party’s oversight. The PF Central Committee established rules of engagement to govern these seconded roles, ensuring no independent authority could be exercised within the Alliance outside the party’s mandate.

Under the stewardship of Acting President Given Lubinda, the Patriotic Front continues to position itself as the core party within the Tonse Alliance. The Alliance is described as a strategic effort to rebrand the PF, presenting a civil, inclusive, and united opposition platform to represent the aspirations of the Zambian people. Party officials reaffirm that defending the PF is not just a political priority but a cornerstone of Zambia’s democratic and constitutional framework.