Mandevu: five days in UPND, straight to the ticket, genius or political insult?

The political landscape in Lusaka’s densely populated Mandevu Constituency has once again been thrown into a state of high friction following the official adoption of Adrian Banda as the United Party for National Development (UPND) candidate for the upcoming parliamentary by-election. What makes this development a lightning rod for debate is the whirlwind timeline: Mr. Banda defected back to the ruling party mere days before securing the coveted ticket, bypassing a crowded field of loyalists and sidelining high-profile figures like Christopher Shakafuswa. For the ruling party leadership, the move is being defended through the lens of political expediency and electoral mathematics. Mr. Banda, who previously contested as an independent after a turbulent primary season and subsequent cancellation of the general election results due to violence, commands considerable grassroots traction in Mandevu. Party elections chairperson Likando Mufalali noted that the decision was reached following wide consultations across the hierarchy. To the strategists at the UPND secretariat, welcoming back a formidable political figure who once started his journey with the party in 2011 is seen as a masterstroke to consolidate votes and secure a decisive victory in a crucial urban stronghold. However, the optics of rewarding a very recent returnee have riled foundational members and local structures who spent years building the party from opposition days. A total of eight applicants vied for the Mandevu adoption, including constituency chairperson Hendrix Ndhlovu and former local office contenders who ultimately watched the ticket handed to someone whose ink from rejoining the party had barely dried. The shock benching of Christopher Shakafuswa—who crossed paths with the ruling establishment hoping for a smooth transition—adds another layer of intrigue, illustrating how ruthless internal competition can be when national tickets are up for grabs. Critics and political analysts are divide