Nakachinda, Zimba Clash Over 2026 Strategy
LEADERSHIP tussle in the Patriotic Front’s Given Lubinda led faction has taken a new twist, with Chris Zumani Zimba accusing Raphael Nakachinda of hijacking the party’s affairs, deviating from former President Edgar Lungu’s wishes.
According to Zimba, Lungu loyalists are worried, shocked, and disappointed over Nakachinda’s behaviour, which sharply differs from Lungu’s plan B 2026 election strategy. 
Zimba suggests that contesting the 2026 elections as PF would deviate significantly from Lungu’s Plan B strategy, which involves the Tonse Alliance as a special purpose vehicle.
Four camps in the Patriotic Front have emerged as one is led by Lubinda, and another by secretary general Rapheal Nakachinda.
Others are Bemba clan led by Brian Mundubile with Lunte member of parliament Mutotwe Kafwaya, and Luapula constituency member of parliament Chanda Katotobwe.
Nakachinda and Lubinda are against going the Tonse Alliance route. According to them, the Tonse Alliance ticket will reduce their chances of taking over the former ruling party.
Recently, the Patriots for Economic Progress (PEP) president, who is also Tonse Alliance spokesperson Sean Tembo, endorsed Mundubile as the Tonse Alliance chairman and candidate for the 2026 elections.
Amidst escalated leadership wrangles within the Alliance, Tembo stated that, as the disciplinary chairperson, he will not allow anyone to hijack the alliance.
