I’ve joined UPND after watching HH work hard for Zambia – Nkhuwa

In a notable political shift on the Zambian landscape, former Energy Minister Mathew Nkhuwa has formally announced his departure from the opposition Patriotic Front (PF) to align himself with the ruling United Party for National Development (UPND). Nkhuwa, who previously served as both the Minister of Energy and the Member of Parliament for Chingola Central during the PF administration from 2016 to 2021, made the declaration during a well-attended press briefing in Chingola. His defection underscores the ongoing realignments within Zambia's political opposition following the 2021 general elections. Addressing journalists and local party structures, Nkhuwa explained that his decision to join the ruling party was not motivated by the pursuit of political office or personal aggrandizement. Instead, he emphasized that he was deeply moved by observing President Hakainde Hichilema's rigorous leadership approach, noting how the Head of State consistently demonstrates commitment by starting his days early and working late into the night for the betterment of the country. Nkhuwa asserted that his choice was made purely out of a desire to support pragmatic national service, urging critics and the general public to respect his political autonomy as a citizen. The defection has drawn mixed reactions across the Copperbelt Province and beyond, highlighting the fluid nature of party loyalties in Zambia's democratic dispensation. UPND provincial and district leadership in Chingola welcomed Nkhuwa into the fold, emphasizing that the ruling party remains open to incorporating experienced public figures who can contribute meaningfully to national development agendas, such as the party's ongoing economic initiatives. Local party officials reiterated that membership equality remains a cornerstone of the UPND, ensuring that newcomers and long-standing cadres alike are integrated into grassroots mobilization structures. For the opposition Patriotic Front, however, the departure of a fo