THE Tonse Alliance is in trouble — not because the ruling UPND is too strong, but because the opposition itself is too disorganised, too fragmented, and too caught up in personality-driven politics to offer Zambia a credible alternative. At the centre of this inertia sits one man: former president Edgar Chagwa Lungu.
Despite being barred from contesting the 2026 elections, Mr Lungu has refused to provide leadership guidance within the opposition Tonse Alliance, a coalition that desperately needs clarity and direction. Instead of helping the alliance identify and rally behind a successor or credible candidate to challenge the UPND, Mr Lungu has left a leadership vacuum — and, worse still, seems to be quietly manoeuvring to keep himself at the centre of it all.
Let’s be honest: this is not leadership. One of the most important marks of great leadership is the ability to prepare for succession. When circumstances — constitutional, legal, or otherwise — render you ineligible to lead, you don’t cling to influence behind the curtain, hoping for a miracle. You step aside and empower others. Unfortunately, Mr Lungu has shown time and again that he struggles with surrendering power to anyone other than himself.
When the Patriotic Front lost power in 2021, the party promised the people that it would “rebrand.” But that rebranding process was dead on arrival. Why? Because Mr Lungu could not truly allow new leadership to take charge. Even after officially “retiring,” he maintained significant control over the party’s direction, intervening from the shadows and influencing internal dynamics. The result? A party stuck in a cycle of infighting and confusion, with no fresh ideas, no renewed trust, and no real political momentum.
When PF joined the United Kwacha Alliance of State Counsel Sakwiba Sikota, the hope was that this would provide the opposition with a more united platform. But again, the alliance floundered. Why? Because Mr Lungu could not bring himself to support any leader besides himself. Instead, he began making personal political promises, hinting at a comeback and speaking as if he were still a viable candidate.
Now, with the clock ticking towards the 2026 elections, the Tonse Alliance finds itself leaderless. And Zambians, rightly so, are growing anxious. This country needs to know what alternative leadership is available. Citizens deserve to know who the serious contenders are — not just for entertainment, but to make informed decisions about the future. The UPND cannot and should not run uncontested. Democracy thrives on choice, and as things stand, the opposition is failing to provide that choice. Not because there are no capable leaders, but because the space to rise is being choked by one man’s refusal to let go.
Recently, a leaked audio recording involving some officials from the Socialist Party sparked public debate. In the audio, the officials were allegedly heard discussing how to position their president to lead the Tonse Alliance. Some have condemned these officials, accusing them of scheming and harbouring ill intent — particularly toward Mr Lungu, who is said to be receiving medical treatment in South Africa.
Now, if there were indeed comments in that audio that mocked or wished ill on the former president, then that is truly unfortunate. Of course, all of us as human beings find ourselves in moments where at one point we say things that we would not repeat if other people were listening. So when someone records your private phone conversation (which is also a story for another day), it can be quite awkward.
That said, we must not lose sight of the core issue: there is absolutely nothing wrong with members of the Socialist Party or any other opposition party with the pact, strategising on how to take leadership of the Tonse Alliance. This is politics. Strategic planning is essential, and competition for leadership within a coalition is natural, expected, and healthy — as long as it is done in good faith without intent to harm.
The fact remains: someone has to lead the opposition, and that someone cannot be Mr Edgar Lungu. Not now. Not in 2026. Not ever again. And so, the only responsible thing for Mr Lungu to do now — as a statesman, as a senior politician, and as a mentor to younger leaders — is to step aside fully and support a credible successor.
That is why we are saying time is running out, Zambians want to know what alternative government is out there in waiting. Zambian need to know whom they can consider if they choose not to renew the UPND’s mandate. We have just over a year to the next elections but the opposition, for the first time in our country, is so fragmented. For the first time, one year ahead elections, we don’t have two or three clear horses in the race. This is not good for democracy, but we cannot blame the party in power. This is as a result of greed among some leaders in the opposition and the lack of seriousness among others.
Democracy deserves better. Zambia deserves better. And it starts with one simple act: Mr Lungu, pass the baton.
