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Suspended Patriotic Front (PF) Northern Province chairperson, Chomba Chipili, has accused faction acting party leader, Given Lubinda, of panic and desperation in his alleged bid to consolidate power through what he described as undemocratic means.
Speaking during a political programme on Kasama Radio on Monday, Chipili said democratic principles required that any sitting leader seeking election steps aside to ensure a fair and level playing field during intra-party elections.
“The boss (Lubinda) is panicking. He wants to be the president of the party by pushing out those he considers to be threats, which is not good,” Chipili said. “In one of the Central Committee meetings, I advised him to step aside if he is interested in contesting the presidency,” he said.
Chipili expressed disappointment that instead of considering the counsel, Lubinda allegedly embarked on a campaign to remove members he perceived as political obstacles.
“Is that democracy? Everyone is free to align with any candidate they feel is fit to be a great leader,” he said.
Chipili, who remains suspended amid internal tensions in the former ruling party, argued that the ongoing expulsions and suspensions of senior members reflected a breakdown of internal democracy and may further weaken the PF ahead of its planned restructuring process.
He further urged party members to resist divisions and uphold fairness as the organisation prepared for leadership renewal.
Lubinda has not yet responded publicly to the latest accusations, but his faction has previously argued that disciplinary measures were necessary to restore order in the party.
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