By 
Alleged deep cracks within the OPP–PAC alliance may have forced Andyford Banda to dump his running mate role at the Organized People’s Party (OPP).
Banda on Friday accused Party president, Dr. Brian Mushimba, of multiple breaches of their agreement that left the partnership unworkable.
The People’s Alliance for Change (PAC) confirmed that Banda, its president, officially communicated the decision to dump Mushimba on Saturday, June 27, 2026.
In a statement issued in Lusaka on Friday, Banda said the decision was not made lightly, framing the exit as a matter of principle, pointing to a pattern of broken commitments that eroded the foundation of the alliance.
Banda claimed that PAC brought electoral experience to the table, noting the party had worked since its formation in 2016 to offer Zambians a credible and principled political alternative.
He cited two presidential elections where PAC finished fourth in both 2016 and 2021, and its record of sponsoring parliamentary, mayoral, and council candidates nationwide.
“This journey has given PAC valuable political experience and a clear understanding of what it takes to build a credible national movement. The implication is that PAC entered the alliance expecting a professional, well-resourced campaign, not the disarray that followed,” Banda said.
He claimed that PAC had actually decided not to contest the August 2026 Presidential and General Elections as nominations closed.
“We understand the realities, the significant costs involved and the necessity of credible, adequate financing to mount a meaningful campaign,” Banda said.
Banda said the OPP approached PAC to join together as electoral partners, and that the party agreed on clearly defined terms.
He stated that regrettably, after nominations were confirmed, OPP’s position started to shift dramatically, from assurances of a previously stated substantial campaign budget that would have enabled a credible national effort, to a far smaller figure.
Banda said that despite the change in campaign finance to what was now a significantly lower figure, it did not quit initially and the party felt the opportunity was still there to start from somewhere.
“In practical terms, that meant that the campaign needed to move quickly to build visibility and traction if there was any chance of raising more funds for the campaign,” he stated.
Banda said the working relationship became increasingly difficult when other agreed positions in the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) were breached.
“The original basis of our alliance was anchored on principles of mutual respect, transparency, and shared responsibility. Unfortunately, several commitments were not upheld,” he said.
Banda listed lack of consultation as the first breach with key decisions made unilaterally without the promised spirit of joint consultation, eroding trust and harmony.
Read More: Breaking! Banda dumps Mushimba, walks away from being running mate at OPP
He also alleged lack of respect for leadership, accusing OPP of engaging directly with PAC structures outside agreed channels which undermined the integrity of the leadership and unity of party structures.
Banda further cited breaches related to partnerships, campaign strategy and materials, and campaign resourcing and potential alliances that could have strengthened the campaign were neglected.
“Implementation of agreed strategies stalled, while PAC structures were sidelined in the distribution of campaign materials despite PAC being well established and these campaign materials being for OPP,” he claimed.
On campaign resourcing, Banda said assurances of adequate resources to sustain a credible national campaign were unilaterally altered and the justification offered was that funders wanted the campaign conducted according to their strategy.
“Yet, when PAC requested to meet these funders to explain why such an approach was untenable, no meeting was availed. This left our working relationship strained and increasingly difficult to sustain,” he said.
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