Former Zambia President Edgar Lungu has officially accepted the 2026 presidential nomination under the Tonse Alliance, vowing to bring transformative leadership to address Zambia’s current challenges.
In his acceptance speech, he called for unity across opposition parties, civil society, and social organizations to tackle what he described as governance failures under the current United Party for National Development (UPND) government. Lungu emphasized the importance of upholding constitutional values, restoring the rule of law, and reversing what he termed “economic turmoil and mismanagement.”
Lungu strongly criticized the UPND government for its failure to deliver on promises, particularly concerning the economic hardship, high cost of living, and increased loadshedding that have affected ordinary Zambians. He stressed that the well-being of the people had been compromised and pointed out the dissatisfaction of citizens, especially those like bus drivers who had hoped for cheaper fuel but were let down.
Lungu expressed his commitment to improving the lives of Zambians and providing leadership that would address these pressing issues.
In his speech, Lungu also called for collaboration with other political groups, such as the United Kwacha Alliance and the People’s Pact, to form a united front and “redeem” the country. He expressed confidence that with broad-based support, he could lead Zambia to a more stable and prosperous future.
Lungu emphasized that his fight was not just about removing the UPND from power, but about restoring the well-being of the Zambian people and overcoming the current economic challenges. He promised to remain committed to his supporters and not let them down as their presidential candidate in 2026.
