Ex-president Edgar Lungu has revealed another unorthodox reason for his unrelenting chase for umupando, from which he was unseated in 2021 by an overwhelming majority of Zambian voters.
After being unveiled last week as the candidate for the 2026 presidential bid by the Tonse Alliance, Lungu—who weirdly belongs to another pact, the United Kwacha Alliance—says he and his allies will work hard to ensure a change of government in two years so that they can also fill their tummies with food.
Speaking after a church service at a United Church of Zambia congregation in Kafue yesterday, Lungu claimed that Tonse and UKA were one and would together resolve to change government and the country for the better “so that naifwe tuleikutako [so that our stomachs can also be satisfied]”.
Months earlier, Lungu had declared that he was motivated to seek a return to power to fight for his family.
A host of his family members, close friends, and associates including his wife and three children have found themselves in conflict with the law as they mainly answer for allegedly fraudulently acquired properties.
Lungu claimed that the two political alliances he’s associated with were one and that Zambians were experiencing the same suffering regardless of where they were.
“Regardless of where you are, you are a Zambian. Ubuchushi tulepitamo nibumobwine so ngatwaeba ati tonse tulipamo, tulipamo.
Claiming strong Christian credentials, the former president was inspired by Donald Trump’s victory in the US because he was a God-fearing man and that he, Lungu, would complete the construction of the national house of prayer when he returns to power and give back to Christians dignity in his government by reinstating the Ministry of Guidance and Religious Affairs.
Despite these theatrics, Lungu’s eligibility to appear on the presidential ballot a fourth time is still under the court’s determination. Regardless, he has vowed to contest the polls no matter what the court will rule.
