‘Unity calls selfish,’ Party leader, Mwanza, faults rush for coalition arrangements ahead of 2026 polls

The Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) has criticized what it described as disingenuous calls for unity among opposition leaders ahead of the 2026 elections.

Party president Antonio Mwanza said the repeated appeals for unity were being used to advance personal political ambitions rather than collective interests.

In a statement issued Wednesday, 6 May 2026, Mwanza argued that the current political environment lacked sincerity and that leaders were unwilling to make the compromises necessary for a genuine alliance.

Mwanza said the opposition remained fragmented not because unity was unattainable, but because leaders were avoiding necessary conversations.

“Everyone is calling for unity, but what they truly mean is ‘come and support me’,” he said.

He described such appeals as manipulation wrapped in polite language, intended to make leaders appear magnanimous while seeking to use others to reach State House.

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According to Mwanza, real unity demands difficult conversations, genuine compromise, and humility to accept that the presidency may go to someone else.

“Real unity is not convenient. It demands difficult conversations, genuine compromise, and the humility to accept that the position of President can be given to someone else and not necessarily you,” he said.

Mwanza said no one was answering two fundamental questions: what is the shared agenda for Zambia, and who is best suited to lead and win in 2026.

He contended that individuals were advancing personal ambitions while presenting it as alliance-building, with no clear vision or transparent process for selecting a leader.

“Let’s be honest: you cannot build unity with people who are unwilling to be led. If everyone insists on leading and no one is prepared to step aside, then unity becomes nothing more than an illusion,” he said.

Mwanza concluded that Zambians were watching and could distinguish between genuine efforts to unite and what he called “MANYENGWE,” adding that leaders had until 22 May to make the right decision.

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