It is now official, President Hakainde Hichilema has gone unopposed in the United Party for National Development (UPND) presidential nominations, securing his position as party president until 2031.
As nominations closed yesterday, the party chairman for elections Mr. Mufalali confirmed that only one application had been received from the time the process opened, effectively sealing HH’s re-election without contest.
This development unfolded as UPND Alliance partners gathered at the Anderson Mazoka house, the official secretariate of the party together with supporters and other government officials.
“We’ve only received one application from the time we opened nominations,” Mr. Mufalali announced, confirming the absence of any challenger.
Despite the outcome, President Hichilema struck a cautious tone, insisting: “I am still a candidate until Wednesday.” His official acceptance speech is scheduled for 15th April 2026 at the party’s General Assembly.
When he addressed party members, the mood shifted from routine politics to something more reflective. HH reached back into the roots of the United Party for National Development, paying tribute with a minute of silence to its late founder Anderson Mazoka, who passed away in 2006, and other party members who died before the party took over government in 2021. “This is your party; it is not my party,” said the president.
In a rare personal moment, he turned to the First Lady, Muntinta Hichilema, who had accompanied him, and broadened the message to the nation: “Twenty-one million Zambians have given us this mandate. Let us not forget where we are coming from.”
The president said, “I am truly humbled. It is not easy. We just ask you to give us a chance to continue.”
JUST TO UNLOCK YOUR MIND
After completing provincial inter-party elections, the United Party for National Development now heads into its General Assembly on 15th April, an event arriving after weeks of speculation and an attempted power grab by individuals identifying themselves as “founder members.”
Their effort to halt the convention was dismissed by the Lusaka High Court, clearing the path for the gathering to proceed.
But beneath the surface of an uncontested presidency, the internal political game is far from over. Several senior figures, including the Vice President, have declared interest in positions within the National Management Committee (NMC), a powerful structure that shapes the party’s direction.
All eyes this Wednesday will also be on senior member Gary Nkombo, following his removal last month as National Chairman for Elections by President Hichilema. The move over since then has created speculation about tensions within the party, with unconfirmed reports suggesting a tense relationship between the two.
But in his acknowledgement letter to the removal, Gary Nkombo assured his loyalty to the past, and the president.
President Hichilema has never publicly commented on the firing of Gary Nkombo as minister of local government and rural development and as chairman for elections in the UPND. Nkombo himself has also avoided commenting on the subjects.
[Brave Heart News | UnlockingMinds]
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