By Brian Matambo – Lusaka, Zambia
Prominent Lusaka lawyer and legal counsel to the late former President Edgar Chagwa Lungu, Counsel Makebi Zulu, has officially filed his credentials declaring his interest to run for the presidency of the Patriotic Front (PF). The event took place at the PF Secretariat in Lusaka and was attended by senior party members and notable figures aligned with the late president’s legacy.
Zulu was flanked by Professor Nkandu Luo, former Cabinet Minister Hon. Jean Kapata, and Reverend Godfridah Sumaili, a close friend of the Lungu family. Also present was the Tonse Youth Chairperson, who doubles as PF Deputy Chairperson for Youth, along with other senior officials, members, and supporters who gathered to witness the occasion.
Speaking during the solemn event, Zulu anchored his message on unity, restoration of democracy, and continuity of the late President Lungu’s vision. “We can sing all the songs and shout all the slogans, but it doesn’t take away the fact that we have lost our President, Edgar Chagwa Lungu,” he said. “As a party, as a family, and as a country, we must ensure that he is given a dignified burial.”
He added that his decision to join the race was not driven by personal ambition but by a deep conviction to unite the party and safeguard the principles that Lungu stood for. “He died believing that democracy, rule of law, and respect for human rights must be restored in this country. The institutions of governance must be independent, and that is what we must continue fighting for,” Zulu declared.
In his message to the nation, he lamented the erosion of freedom and sovereignty under the current administration, questioning why citizens must “go outside the country to speak freely.” He emphasised that Zambians deserve to express themselves without fear, and that their natural wealth must serve national interests, not foreign hands.
Zulu reaffirmed his commitment to reviving the PF’s stalled nuclear power programme to end load-shedding and ensure energy independence. “Why should we sell power and prioritise foreigners when our own businesses are struggling?” he asked. “We had begun a programme to generate our own power and even sell it. That is what we must complete.”
Using biblical imagery, he compared the PF’s current turbulence to a boat rocked by waves but destined for the other side. “The PF boat is being rocked now, but we are going to the other side,” he said to loud cheers. “On the other side, I see equal opportunities for every Zambian, not just for a few or for a tribe.”
He pledged to restore economic fairness and ensure that miners, farmers, and entrepreneurs alike benefit from their labour. “We must prioritise agriculture, feed Zambia, feed Malawi, feed Congo. Let us empower farmers because they have kept this country alive for a long time,” he said.
Zulu concluded with a call for national unity, echoing the PF’s founding motto. “We are one Zambia, one nation. We will not look at you by tribe or region. Opportunities must be given to everyone. People are crying because the cost of living is high. We built schools, hospitals, and roads to serve the people. That is what we must continue doing.”
As the PF moves toward its long-awaited general conference, Zulu’s entry into the presidential race adds a powerful and emotional dimension. His message of restoration, respect, and revival resonated strongly among party members still mourning their late leader and longing for a return to order and dignity within the party and the nation.
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