The Editor Zambia
Makebi Zulu has declared himself the best to take over the leadership of the opposition Patriotic Front (PF) party.
It is still a wait and see situation, whether the Given Lubinda and Brian Mundubile factions will accept to rally behind Makebi Zulu. 
Makebi Zulu says, “It is me, no one else” for PF presidency and 2026 presidential candidate.
Available information indicates that Makebi Zulu is already printing campaign materials ahead of the 2026 general elections.
Sources say Makebi Zulu has no intentions of backing off should delegates at the PF faction’s general conference decide not to vote for him.
Insiders further say Makebi Zulu has made it very clear that it’s him or no one else will be put at the helm of the party leadership.
The PF inside sources say Makebi Zulu’s team has secured over 100 vehicles to be dispatched for campaigns across the country.
On the other hand, Brian Mundubile is equally determined to take over the leadership of the former ruling party regardless of the outcome at the convention.
Mundubile also believes it his time to lead. He will not accept anything less.
This is happening despite Given Lubinda firing and appointing his own as members of the central committee.
Lubinda is trying to find grip but doesn’t seem to have one as he is regarded as wakaso (Stingy).
Clearly, the PF is likely to break into four factions:
- Robert Chabinga – the legally recognised PF faction.
- Given Lubinda – faction PF (former president Edgar Lungu faction)
- Brian Mundubile – ambitious presidential aspirant (do or die)
- Makebi Zulu – anither ambitious aspirant (claims family anointed)
The uncertainty in the former ruling party has weakened the party further and opened the door to endless internal fights and factional battles that have continued to haunt the party.
Some members of the former ruling party have accused the UPND of sponsoring confusion in the former ruling party. To the contrary, the PF died the moment its founding leader, Michael Sata, died.
The former ruling party survived through violence and confusion. The environment for violence is not conducive
Hence, it cannot survive.
The PF faction, which is an anchor party in the Tonse Alliance, is supposed to go to the convention to elect a new leader.
The division in the PF has slowly shifted into the Tonse Alliance, where some individual political parties have left the alliance.
Last week, the Zambia Must Prosper (ZMP) leader Kelvi Fube Bwalya left the Alliance citing the absence of clear collective direction, which he said created confusion.
Earlier, New Congress Party (NCP) president Peter Chanda announced the party’s full withdrawal in October 2025, citing various issues including unfair treatment within the alliance and a loss of unit.
Patriots for Economic Progress (PEP) leader Sean Tembo last week said “since time immemorial, the PF has never been a disciplined organisation.” Tembo said it was unreasonable for anyone to expect the former ruling party to become disciplined overnight.
These indications show that the Tonse Alliance has collapsed. PF fights have collapsed the Alliance.
