By 
Despite a standing court order, the Patriotic Front (PF) Secretariat on Panganani Road in Lusaka was on Thursday transformed into a scene of jubilation and defiance as scores of party supporters gathered to witness, Brian Mundubile, file his presidential nomination.
Clad in party regalia and chanting political slogans, the supporters sang the PF anthem Dununa Reverse, their voices rising above the chaos that has come to define the opposition party’s internal wrangles.
The crowd’s excitement painted a vivid picture of a faction unwilling to back down, even as the courts sought to halt their activities.
The Kabwe High Court on November 12, 2025, granted an injunction restraining the Given Lubinda-led faction from operating from the secretariat or convening any meetings under its name.
The injunction, issued by Judge Kelvin Limbani, followed an application by another PF faction led by Morgan Ng’ona, who is suing as a member and secretary general of the party.
The ruling cast uncertainty over the long-anticipated PF elective conference, throwing the party’s leadership race into confusion and further deepening divisions within Zambia’s largest opposition movement.
In reaction, the Robert Chabinga-led faction swiftly moved to enforce the court order, announcing the immediate closure of the party secretariat and all offices nationwide where meetings by the Lubinda group were taking place.
Addressing journalists at Massview Lodge in Lusaka, Chabinga confirmed that his faction had secured the injunction halting the planned convention and warned that any gatherings organized without his approval were unconstitutional.
“Those purporting to hold conventions are doing so in violation of our PF constitution,” he cautioned.
He further advised members who had paid nomination or convention fees to seek immediate refunds, describing the planned event as illegal and disrespectful, particularly in the wake of former president Edgar Lungu’s passing.
However, Acting Secretary General Brenda Nyirenda of the Lubinda-led faction dismissed Chabinga’s pronouncements, declaring that he had no authority to stop the conference or close the party offices.
“How is he going to close the Secretariat? Is it his building? It’s the people’s building. If he wants, he can take his police there—we are not scared of being locked up,” she said defiantly.
Nyirenda urged Chabinga to join the race for the PF presidency instead of “causing confusion in a party he never founded.”
Presidential hopefuls under the Lubinda faction include Willah Mudolo, Brian Mundubile, Greyford Monde, Geoffrey Bwalya Mwamba, Emmanuel Mwamba, Miles Sampa, Mutotwe Kafwaya, Dr. Chitalu Chilufya, Dr. Chishimba Kambwili, Goodward Mulubwa, and Makebi Zulu.
The day’s dramatic events underscored the widening rift within the PF, as competing factions wrestle for control of the once-mighty political movement.
WARNING! All rights reserved. This material, and other digital content on this website, may not be reproduced, published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed in whole or in part without prior express permission from ZAMBIA MONITOR.
Comments