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Politics has often been described as an interesting game. This claim is not without foundation. Indeed, there are so many examples of how one time critics swung around to become praise singers. Zambia is not left out of this experience.
Zambia Monitor brings you a series titled, ‘Political Rendezvous.’ In this new refreshing offering, the platform will publish articles showing how some of the country’s politicians have proved inconsistent in their utterances, and or beliefs.
In this essay, Zambia Monitor revisits Ackim Njovbu’s many attacks on President Hakainde Hichilema before turning around to back his presidency and return to office.
1. On the appointment of judges in Zambia, Njobvu appeared unconvinced about President Hichilema’s moves.
He told the Zambia Monitor on April 11, 2026 that the move appeared politically motivated, especially with about 15 bills still pending before the parliamentary session ended.
He claimed that the ruling party was attempting to influence the judiciary by placing loyalists in key positions.
“We just wish that the appointments are made from a point of goodwill and for the greater good of the country, not from selfish interest,” Njobvu said, adding, “The people of Zambia deserve a judiciary that is independent and impartial, not one beholden to political interests.”
2. On May 13, 2025, Zambia Monitor reported Njobvu as criticizing government’s handling of the medical drug theft scandal.
“It’s disturbing that such a vital issue to public health and international trust has been treated with dangerous casualness,” Njobvu said of Hichilema government while calling for change in leadership.
“If we are to restore confidence among Zambians and international donors, we must change the leadership. This government has failed to protect the health of its people. We demand answers.” he said.
3. Hear Njobvu speak on President Hichilema’s address to the National Assembly regarding national values and principles. He described it as “empty rhetoric” that failed to address the everyday struggles of citizens.
Speaking to Zambia Monitor on February, 21, 2026 , Njobvu said the President’s speech was underwhelming and lacked clear commitments that could improve the living conditions of Zambians facing a persistently high cost of living.
He argued that citizens were seeking tangible results, not promises that remained “on paper.”
“There’s nothing new I think from the speech that the President has given, I think we have heard what he was talking about before, all I can say is there is lack of new initiatives,” Njobvu said.
4. On January 10, 2025, the Democratic Union leader expressed concern over what he described as a toxic political environment under President Hakainde Hichilema’s administration.
“The government should prioritize serving citizens rather than targeting opposition members and dissenting voices. Let us unite the country. The political landscape is becoming toxic, with personal vendetta overshadowing efforts to build the nation,” Njobvu had said.
5. During a media briefing on January 13, 2025, Njobvu challenged the United Party for National Development (UPND) government to explain the status of the US$500 million nuclear power plant project in Chongwe.
Njobvu noted that in 2017, Zambia and Russia signed an Inter-Governmental Agreement for Cooperation to construct the Centre of Nuclear Science and Technology in Chongwe District.
“The PF government had announced the implementation of the Nuclear Power Plant and even claimed that funds had been sourced. What has happened to those plans and the money? The UPND government owes the nation an explanation,” Njobvu said.
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6. In an interview with Zambia Monitor in Lusaka on April 22, 2025, Njobvu called on the government to disclose the costs associated with the ongoing constitutional amendment process, citing the absence of funding for the exercise in the current national budget.
Njobvu also questioned the timing and motivation behind the proposed constitutional amendment, describing the current political climate as highly charged.
He expressed suspicion that the government could be attempting to manipulate next year’s elections or gain political advantage through the amendment process.
“The introduction of the issue was premature, and there were discrepancies between the President’s statements and the Justice Minister’s clarification on the existence of a draft constitution,” Njobvu said.
7. In further alleging that the constitutional amendment process was executed without adequately consulting Zambians, Njovbu, while speaking to Zambia Monitor, challenged the government on May 26, 2025 to state the budget for the entire process and disclose where the funding would come from, noting that no provisions were made in the 2025 national budget.
“This is an afterthought by the UPND. There are more pressing issues the government should focus on, like the health sector, where $50 million in aid was recently withdrawn by the American government,” Njobvu claimed.
8. In an interview with Zambia Monitor on August 2, 2026, Njobvu, lashed out at the government for enacting Statutory Instrument (SI) No. 47 of 2025, which allowed mining companies to export copper concentrates without paying the standard 10 percent export tax.
He called for the immediate reversal of the measure, describing it as “white-collar corruption” and a betrayal of the Zambian people.
“This is a profound betrayal of the citizens of this country and of future generations. In the face of crippling debt, we are still giving away our wealth—our value, our chance at economic liberation, our all,” Njobvu said.
9. In his submission to ZCID on October 29, 2025, Njobvu expressed concern over the constitutional reforms being championed by President Hakainde Hichilema’s government, describing the move as allegedly manipulative.
Njobvu said it was unfortunate that the ruling UPND had chosen to focus on amending the Constitution instead of addressing the pressing challenges affecting Zambians.
Zambia Monitor reported Njobvu as saying that the technical committee tasked to conduct consultations on the controversial Bill No. 7 lacked inclusivity.
“I would have loved to see the representation of the Law Association of Zambia, church mother bodies, and maybe a representative from both the ruling and opposition on the technical committee,” he said.
10. In a statement issued on Sunday, December, 21, 2025, Njobvu faulted government’s plan to increase copper production to three million metric tonnes by 2031, describing the target as misplaced because Zambia reportedly had little control of its mines.
He said government should reconsider its approach, warning that pursuing higher output without addressing ownership and control of mines would disadvantage citizens.
“We cannot set such an ambitious target when we do not have control over the mines. We have given the mines a lot of tax incentives, and again we are giving them a bonus to mine more and take it out of the country. This, for me, is misplaced,” Njobvu said.
“We can only set such an ambitious target when we know that whatever is being mined, the capital remains in the country. Our people must begin benefiting from the mining resources instead of allowing other countries to benefit,” he said.
After several months of being a fierce critic of the current government, Njobvu made a u-turn on his criticisms and endorsed President Hakainde Hichilema’s candidature in the August 13 general election, despite being among the 14 presidential candidates validly nominated to contest this year’s polls.
Speaking during the launch of the UPND presidential campaign, Njobvu said he had decided to back President Hichilema because of his administration’s efforts to restore Zambia’s economic stability.
Did Njovbu not think through his many attacks on President Hichilema or was just being the average politician without any ideological convictions?
Indeed, was he on wild goose regarding plans to unseat the UPND administration? These, and many other questions, are what political watchers are hoping would be addressed by Njovbu in the coming days.
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