“BRING THEM HOME, DON’T FIGHT THEM” — UPND MEMBER GEORGE MTONGA URGES PARTY TO RECONCILE WITH INDEPENDENT WINNERS

“BRING THEM HOME, DON’T FIGHT THEM” — UPND MEMBER GEORGE MTONGA URGES PARTY TO RECONCILE WITH INDEPENDENT WINNERS By Giant ReporterA member of the United Party for National Development (UPND), George Mtonga, has called...

“BRING THEM HOME, DON’T FIGHT THEM” — UPND MEMBER GEORGE MTONGA URGES PARTY TO RECONCILE WITH INDEPENDENT WINNERS

By Giant Reporter

A member of the United Party for National Development (UPND), George Mtonga, has called on the party to abandon any move to petition independent candidates who emerged victorious and are expected to caucus with the ruling party.

Mr. Mtonga says there is little value in fighting independent candidates who have already won their respective seats, arguing that the party should instead seek to reconcile with them and bring them back into the UPND fold.

In a strongly worded statement, Mr. Mtonga wrote:

“Don’t petition independents who won and will caucus with UPND. There is no point. We made a mistake in the adoption. They won. Bring them home. Don’t fight them.”

His remarks appear to reflect a growing argument within the party that political reconciliation could be more beneficial than prolonged electoral disputes, particularly where independent candidates have demonstrated significant support among voters.

Mr. Mtonga acknowledged that mistakes may have been made during the adoption process, suggesting that some of the independent candidates could have emerged from disagreements or dissatisfaction surrounding the selection of official UPND candidates.

Rather than treating the victorious independents as political opponents, Mr. Mtonga is urging the party to view them as potential allies.

His call to “bring them home” points to the possibility of rebuilding relationships with independent winners and creating a broader political bloc capable of working together in Parliament.

The statement also carries a message to UPND members who may be considering legal challenges against independent victories.

According to Mr. Mtonga, where independent candidates have legitimately won and are prepared to work with the UPND, pursuing them through petitions could deepen divisions that may ultimately serve little political purpose.

The comments come at a time when candidate selection, party unity and the management of independent political ambitions remain sensitive issues within Zambia’s political landscape.