By MUMBI KALIMBA KASESHYA | Broadcast Journalist and Political/ Development Communication Strategist.
The recent announcement of Edgar Lungu’s return to active politics has sent ripples through the Zambian political landscape, capturing the keen attention of both political commentators and the media. While it is well within his democratic rights to reenter the political arena, his decision raises pivotal questions about its wisdom and the potential consequences. Can he effectively challenge the methodical leadership of Hakainde Hichilema, and what impact will his return have on the Patriotic Front (PF)? These questions loom large in the minds of political observers.
Lungu’s return to active politics finds the PF in a state of profound turmoil, far from presenting a united front. The party is grappling with internal discord, confused membership, and a protracted legal battle for control within the opposition ranks. This complicates Lungu’s mission as he embarks on a journey to regain leadership of the party.
The immediate and foremost objective of Edgar Lungu is to reclaim control of the PF from the Sampa-led faction. This quest sets the stage for an enthralling legal battle between the rival camps of Sampa and ECL. The heart of the matter, from a legal perspective, is determining which of the elective conferences holds precedence: the earlier one that elected Edgar Lungu as the PF president or the more recent one on October 24th that elected Sampa. The PF Constitution becomes a critical document in this legal contest, serving as the foundation upon which the entire battle is constructed. When a society registers with the Registrar of Societies, its constitution becomes a legally binding instrument, and the society is obligated to adhere to its provisions.
The pivotal question emerges as to whether the PF manifesto allows for an elected party president who resigned from office to rescind their resignation decision after a two-year absence. Currently, the Registrar of Societies recognizes Sampa as the president of the PF Society, owing to changes in office bearers. This situation raises a significant question about the potential consequences if the Sampa faction chooses to amend the PF constitution, potentially superseding any provisions that might allow a resigned individual to return to their prior position. The political battle at hand promises to be filled with numerous bends and turns, offering an intriguing subject for students of politics.
Edgar Lungu’s return to the political stage brings with it a wealth of uncertainties and legal intricacies. The ensuing legal battle for control of the PF will be watched closely, and the decisions made will have lasting implications for the party and the Zambian political landscape. Only time will reveal the ultimate outcome of this high-stakes struggle, and in the process, it will undoubtedly provide ample content for political analysts and media observers.
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