695 Views …After Publicly Pledging Support And Saying “We Shall Be Back In 2031” Longest serving Member of Parliament Jack Mwiimbu says he has been left shocked by Victor Cheelo’s dramatic decision to file in as an Independent candidate for Monze East after publicly congratulating and pledging support to him following the UPND adoption process. […]

695 Views

…After Publicly Pledging Support And Saying “We Shall Be Back In 2031”

Jack Mwiimbu

Victor Cheelo

Longest serving Member of Parliament Jack Mwiimbu says he has been left shocked by Victor Cheelo’s dramatic decision to file in as an Independent candidate for Monze East after publicly congratulating and pledging support to him following the UPND adoption process.

The unexpected development has now heightened political tensions in Monze East and exposed deepening cracks within the ruling UPND ahead of the August 13, 2026 general elections.

Cheelo had overwhelmingly defeated Mwiimbu during the UPND primary adoption rankings, walloping the veteran lawmaker across most wards in the newly created Monze East Constituency.

However, despite the clear grassroots outcome, the UPND National Management Committee (NMC) opted to adopt Mwiimbu as the official party candidate, sparking mixed reactions among party supporters.

At the time, Cheelo appeared to accept the party’s decision and publicly pledged loyalty to both Mwiimbu and President Hakainde Hichilema.

Victor Cheelo

In a statement issued after the adoption decision, Cheelo thanked his supporters and acknowledged that the grassroots had wanted him to lead but said party interests came first.

“To all my dear supporters and the people of Monze East, I wish to sincerely thank each one of you for the overwhelming love, support and confidence you showed during this process,” Cheelo said.

“It is very clear that the grassroots wanted us to lead, and for that I remain deeply humbled and grateful.”

“However, as loyal members of the party, we understand that the party decision is bigger and more important than personal interests. We therefore fully respect the decision that has been made.”

Cheelo further congratulated Mwiimbu and urged his supporters to unite behind the veteran politician.

“I would like to extend my heartfelt congratulations to Hon. Jack Mwiimbu on his adoption. This is now the time for all of us to put personal differences aside and focus on the bigger mission of delivering victory for our Republican President Hakainde Hichilema and the party.”

“Tomorrow, let us all come together and support Hon. Mwiimbu with unity, maturity and love for Monze East.”

In what many now see as an ironic statement, Cheelo ended by saying:

“We shall be back in 2031.”

But in a dramatic reversal Wednesday, Cheelo appeared at Charles Lwanga Primary School to file in as an Independent candidate, triggering confusion and tension among UPND supporters.

The situation later degenerated into chaos after suspected cadres allegedly attempted to block him from filing his nomination papers.

Ironically, only a day before filing in, Cheelo had again publicly reaffirmed his support for Mwiimbu.

“Congratulations to Hon. Jack Mwiimbu for going unopposed and successfully filling in his nomination. This is how it should be and we pledge to support Hon. Mwiimbu,” Cheelo stated.

“Monze East Constituency is poised for development.”

He further praised Mwiimbu’s political longevity, describing him as a historic figure in Zambia’s parliamentary politics.

“He is the only man going for 30 years as an MP in the history of Zambia hence the need to respect him for that hoping to take over the mantle after him.”

The sudden change of position has now left many supporters confused, with questions emerging over what may have transpired behind the scenes between the two camps.

Reacting to the latest developments, Mwiimbu said he had received Cheelo’s decision with shock especially after what he described as cordial engagements and mutual understanding.

“On the matter concerning our brother Victor Cheelo, we received his latest actions with a sense of shock,” Mwiimbu said.

“Having engaged him in good faith, welcomed him warmly into our fold and received his public congratulations following our successful adoption by the Party, we expected consistency and fidelity to that understanding.”

The veteran lawyer and politician however maintained that the developments would not derail his campaign.

“While politics may at times be fluid and unpredictable, we remain guided by principle, integrity and loyalty to the people we are privileged to serve. Such reversals will neither distract nor derail our mission,” he said.

Mwiimbu also condemned the violence that erupted during the filing process, stressing that democracy should not be characterized by intimidation or lawlessness.

The Monze East race is now shaping into one of the most closely watched parliamentary contests in Southern Province, particularly given Mwiimbu’s senior standing within UPND and the controversy surrounding adoption decisions affecting several ministers and long-serving MPs across the country.

Despite the tensions, Mwiimbu has continued calling for calm and unity among supporters as campaigns officially begin.