The Editor Zambia
The decision by Patriotic Front (PF) faction leader Miles Sampa to endorse President Hakainde Hichilema for a second term is one of the most significant political developments of the 2026 election campaign.
While critics may dismiss the move as political opportunism, it should instead be viewed as a refreshing display of political honesty and realism in a country where politicians rarely admit mistakes. 
Sampa’s endorsement is noteworthy because it comes from a man who occupied influential positions within the PF and understands both the strengths and weaknesses of the former ruling party better than most.
His recognition of the progress made under President Hichilema’s administration demonstrates a willingness to place national interest above partisan loyalty.
More importantly, other PF leaders should emulate Sampa’s example.
The endorsement of President Hichilema by former PF officials would amount to a tacit acknowledgement that the PF government failed Zambia in several critical areas during its decade in power.
Such an admission may be uncomfortable, but it would be an important step towards political maturity and accountability.
When the PF assumed office in 2011, Zambians had high expectations. The party promised economic transformation, job creation, and improved living standards.
While some infrastructure projects were undertaken, the later years of PF rule were characterised by mounting debt, economic instability, declining investor confidence, and increasing political tensions.
By the time the PF left office in 2021, Zambia had become the first African country during the COVID-19 era to default on its sovereign debt obligations.
The national treasury was under immense strain, inflation was rising, and many ordinary citizens were struggling with the high cost of living.
Relations between government and sections of civil society, opposition parties, and the media had also deteriorated considerably.
These are not allegations from political opponents. They are historical facts that many PF leaders privately acknowledge even if they rarely do so publicly.
In contrast, President Hichilema’s administration has undertaken reforms that have fundamentally altered the country’s trajectory.
The introduction of free education has enabled hundreds of thousands of children to access schooling regardless of their family’s financial status.
Increased Constituency Development Fund (CDF) allocations have empowered communities to undertake local development projects previously impossible under centralised governance structures.
The government’s efforts to restructure Zambia’s debt have restored confidence among international lenders and investors.
Mining investments continue to flow into the country, with expansion projects creating employment opportunities and positioning Zambia to achieve ambitious copper production targets.
No government is perfect, and the current administration has faced legitimate criticism regarding the cost of living and electricity challenges.
However, fair-minded observers must acknowledge that these difficulties largely stem from structural problems inherited from previous administrations, including years of underinvestment in energy generation and the burden of unsustainable debt.
This is why Sampa’s endorsement carries considerable weight. He is not speaking as a UPND official but as a former PF insider who has compared the records of the two administrations and reached a conclusion based on evidence rather than emotion.
Many PF leaders continue to campaign as though the electorate has forgotten the circumstances under which the party left office. They speak loudly about today’s challenges while remaining silent about the role their own policies played in creating them.
If more PF leaders were willing to support President Hichilema, it would send a powerful message that Zambia’s future is more important than partisan rivalries.
It would also demonstrate a level of political accountability that has been largely absent in the country’s democratic history.
Ultimately, elections should not be contests of blind loyalty. They should be opportunities for citizens and leaders alike to evaluate performance honestly.
Miles Sampa has made his assessment. Whether one agrees with him or not, he has shown the courage to place national considerations above party dogma.
Other PF leaders should do the same. In doing so, they would not merely be endorsing President Hichilema. They would be acknowledging that Zambia deserves leadership capable of learning from past mistakes and building on present achievements.
Such an endorsement would be more than a political statement. It would be an overdue apology to the Zambian people for the shortcomings of the PF era and a commitment to support a path that many believe offers greater stability, accountability, and progress.
