‘Wait for your time,’ UPND warns party members positioning themselves ahead of 2031 polls

United Party for National Development (UPND) Media Director, Mark Simuuwe, has warned party members against forming what he described as “2031 cartels” and issuing statements on social media that undermined the party and government.

Simuuwe said it had come to the attention of the party’s communications department that some individuals were forming groups in preparation for the 2031 elections and making statements that undermined party and government efforts.

In a statement issued in Lusaka on Sunday, Simuuwe urged members with political ambitions to wait for their time and allow the party’s highest governing organ, the National Management Committee (NMC), to provide guidance.

He said every organised political party had rules, regulations, procedures and systems that members were expected to respect.

“Take notice that, 2031 cartels will not be tolerated in the party. If you have ambitions, wait for your time and if you are UPND, let the party highest governing organ the National Management Committee (NMC) decide for you and guide,” Simuuwe said.

He said members who did not agree with the party’s approach to coordinating its programmes were in the wrong party.

“If you cannot agree with the UPND way of doing well-coordinated programmes, you are a wrong person to be in the party,” Simuuwe said.

Simuuwe said some people who resigned from the UPND in 2025, citing shrinking democracy in the party and the country after President Hakainde Hichilema endorsed the repeal of the Cyber Security and Cyber Crimes Act, had not publicly rejoined the party but were now criticising government policies and insulting UPND officials.

“The party needs people who are loyal not those who resign many times and come back many times. We are the most organized and receptive party in Zambia currently and things are done in a structured and methodical manner in the party – that is why UPND has survived for over 25 years,” Simuuwe said.

He said the party welcomed members who had left and returned but warned them against undermining official party positions.

Simuuwe said some political parties had collapsed because too many members sought leadership positions, citing the Patriotic Front (PF), where he said more than nine people wanted to become president.

He emphasised that there could only be one president and one vice-president at a time, just as there could only be one secretary-general, national chairman and other office bearers.

Simuuwe said his office would not allow unofficial statements intended to undermine the party’s rank and file or government efforts.

“Without order, the party cannot stand. Let all be guided accordingly,” Simuuwe said.

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