The NRPUP you backed has now ‘surrendered’ to UPND by staying away from by-elections, CF tells Zambians

The political landscape in Zambia has witnessed a fresh wave of friction following recent statements by the Citizens First (CF) party targeting the National Reconciliation Party for Unity and Prosperity (NRPUP). CF spokesperson Stanley Mhango lambasted the opposition vehicle, claiming that its decision to sit out upcoming by-elections amounts to a backdoor surrender to the governing United Party for National Development (UPND). According to CF, voters who reposed their trust in the opposition during the August 13 general elections have been shortchanged by a leadership that appears hesitant to mount a robust defense of democratic checks and balances. Mhango argued that the initial momentum built by opposition groupings during the electoral cycle has been compromised by internal disarray and strategic retreats. He noted that while citizens expected robust legislative opposition and vibrant participation in the democratic process, the choice to boycott or remain absent from crucial electoral battlegrounds signals a troubling capitulation. Citizens First positioned itself as the steadfast alternative, contrasting its structural resilience with what it termed a marriage of convenience lacking ideological grounding. The controversy underscores the fracturing dynamics within Zambia's opposition bloc in the wake of the 2026 general elections. Political analysts point out that opposition parties are struggling to maintain cohesion and retain voter confidence amid shifting alliances and internal leadership squabbles. The decision by parties like NRPUP to steer clear of impending contests leaves a vacuum in key constituencies, prompting rival opposition factions like CF to aggressively court disillusioned electorates seeking active representation. As the Electoral Commission of Zambia prepares the ground for these critical local and parliamentary polls, the debate over opposition strategy intensifies. Citizens First has made a direct appeal to the grassroots, insisting tha