By 
Gary Nkombo has resigned from the United Party for National Development (UPND)with immediate effect, saying he is no longer welcome within the party following alleged assault and damage to his property by party members.
Nkombo, a former UPND member who served in various portfolios since February 2001, said his resignation was also triggered by the legal requirement for anyone wishing to contest as an independent parliamentarian to resign from their party 60 days before the elections.
He said the elections date in this circumstance falls not beyond 12th June 2026, making 22nd May 2026 the date of his resignation letter addressed to the Secretary General at the UPND Secretariat in Rhodes Park, Lusaka.
“Kindly refer to the above subject and the provision of the law pertaining to one who wishes to contest as a parliamentarian as an independent candidate. The law provides that one is compelled to resign from their party 60 days before the elections date which date falls not beyond June 12, 2026 in this circumstance,” he said.
Nkombo said despite his most sincere pledges of allegiance and commitment to the Party, recent events had made his position untenable.
He cited a series of events leading up to 20th May 2026, both unpublicised and now allegedly overtly displayed, as the basis for his decision to leave the party.
“Despite my most sincere pledges of allegiance and commitment to the Party, the series of events leading up to 20th May, 2026, both unpublicised and now overtly displayed, such as the assault occasioning actual bodily harm and damage to my property, at the hands of well-known UPND Members indicate that I am no longer welcome within the party. This has left me with no option, other than to ‘cut my losses’,” Nkombo said.
He claimed that the assault occasioning actual bodily harm and damage to his property was allegedly committed at the hands of well-known UPND members.
Nkombo said the developments indicated that he was no longer welcome within the party, leaving him with no option but to resign.
“I also wish to put on record my sincere most gratitude to the entire rank and file of the party UPND, that I served in various portfolios from February 2001 up until now,” he said.
The resignation letter dated May 22, 2026 and written from 39B Mulungushi Road, Mazabuka, was copied to the Electoral Commission of Zambia.
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