PF Suffers Setback in Petauke as All Structures Defect to the Ruling UPND
January 13, 2025 — In a shocking political development, the Patriotic Front (PF) has experienced a major blow as all its constituency structures in Petauke, including Constituency Chairperson Felix Ngulube and ward representatives, have defected to the ruling United Party for National Development (UPND). This defection marks a significant shift in the political landscape of Petauke, potentially altering the course of upcoming elections.
Speaking during the defection, PF Constituency Chairperson Felix Ngulube explained that the lack of direction within the Patriotic Front was the key reason behind his decision to abandon the opposition party. Ngulube expressed frustration with the internal disarray plaguing the PF and revealed that the entire group of PF councillors from the area had decided to join the UPND in support of the government’s vision for progress and development.
Mr. Ngulube praised the UPND government for its impactful social intervention policies, such as the Cash for Work Program, Emergency Transfers, and Social Cash Transfer initiative. He emphasized that these programs demonstrated the UPND’s commitment to improving the welfare of all Zambians, regardless of political affiliation. Ngulube also cited a notable change in the government’s approach to governance, mentioning his personal experience of receiving maize from the Food Reserve Agency (FRA) without political interference—a stark contrast to previous government practices.
Describing the PF as a “finished political party” with no viable future, Ngulube announced his full support for UPND candidate Severian Lungu in the upcoming parliamentary by-election. He encouraged other political leaders in the region to follow his example and contribute to the political and social development of Petauke.
Welcoming the defectors, UPND Chairperson for Eastern Province Johabbie Mtonga commended the move, urging them to work collaboratively with existing party structures to further consolidate UPND’s influence in Petauke. The defections have raised the prospects of a sweeping UPND victory in the forthcoming parliamentary by-election, with overwhelming support from both defectors and the general electorate.
The political shift has been hailed by Special Assistant to the President for Political Affairs, Levy Ngoma, who applauded the defecting leaders for their decision to align with President Hakainde Hichilema’s transformative vision. Ngoma reaffirmed that the UPND government is committed to uplifting communities and ensuring equitable distribution of resources across Zambia.
The defections are seen as a major political victory for the UPND, especially in Eastern Province, where the ruling party has gained significant traction. This development further strengthens President Hichilema’s position in the region and is expected to have lasting effects on future political dynamics.
Keywords: PF, UPND, Petauke, Zambia politics, political defection, Felix Ngulube, Severian Lungu, political shift, Petauke by-election, Zambia news, Hakainde Hichilema, Eastern Province, political blow, PF disarray, UPND policies, social intervention programs, government programs
