PF halts illegal campaigns

…calls for unity, discipline among leaders aspiring to take up the leadership of the party, advises that there should be respect and adherence to its constitution and guidance

By GIDEON NYENDWA

THE Patriotic Front (PF) has directed that its presidential aspirants should immediately halt all illegal campaigns and endorsements until official guidance is provided by the central committee and the campaign period is formally opened.
In a statement yesterday, PF chairperson for information and publicity, Emmanuel Mwamba said the party was concerned about a growing trend of unsanctioned presidential campaigns and public endorsements by certain members and party structures.
“These acts amount to lawlessness and cause damage to the reputation of the party as they portray it as being in disarray and chaos,” Mr Mwamba said.
He said the PF had always remained a structured political organisation governed by its constitution, rules, and regulations not by individual ambitions, whims and caprices.
“The Patriotic Front is a structured party guided by rules, regulations, and adheres to discipline. Our party constitution is our guiding light in dealing with both internal and external challenges,” he stated.
Mr Mwamba recalled that following the death of the late Mr Edgar Lungu, the country’s sixth President and PF leader, the central committee meeting held on October 6, 2025 chaired by acting president Given Lubinda had provided clear directions for its reorganisation process.
He explained that the committee had resolved to engage the Lungu family for guidance as the party was charting the way forward toward the proposed elective general conference, establish a committee that would be chaired by Emmanuel Musonda Mpankanta, to urgently prepare for the conference.
Mr Mpakata is expected to also set dates, campaign guidelines and logistical arrangements as well as deliberate on whether to open up the presidential race beyond the nine aspirants who had each paid the K200, 000 nomination fee.
Mr Mwamba urged PF leaders including Members of Parliament and central committee members to support the acting leadership of Mr Lubinda and secretary general Raphael Nakacinda, stressing the need for unity during the transition period.
“Senior leaders must promote a sense of unity and common purpose. We must keep the party intact during this difficult time when our patriarch, Edgar Chagwa Lungu, is no longer with us,” Mr Mwamba said.
Mr Mwamba has since announced that an urgent central committee meeting has been scheduled for November 2, 2025, to deliberate on the ongoing internal issues and to roll out a national strategy for voter registration and mobilisation.