Why Hichilema is afraid of me —Ex-president Lungu insists on running for 2026 elections

Appearing on Kalene Radio in Lundazi on Sunday, former President, Edgar Lungu, reiterated his determination to contest the 2026 elections, despite what he called attempts to block his candidacy through legal means.

Lungu, who discussed issues ranging from constitutional reforms to energy and agriculture, expressed confidence that efforts to bar him would fail.

“They are fearing us. No wonder they have been plotting to use the law against me, but that won’t work because we have the people’s support,” Lungu stated.

He questioned why President Hakainde Hichilema and his United Party for National Development (UPND) — who opposed his government’s attempt to amend the constitution via the failed Bill 10 — were now raising concerns about gaps in the constitution.

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Lungu criticised the current leadership, claiming that Zambia was struggling due to a “know-it-all” approach.

“As a leader, you must listen to experts. We are failing because the current leadership wants to advise everyone without taking advice,” he said.

The former president defended his administration’s record, particularly in the energy and agriculture sectors, citing his government’s expansion of installed power capacity from 1,600 megawatts to 3,800 MW.

He further accused the UPND of prioritizing exports of maize and power at the expense of local needs, claiming that his government managed food security better despite facing two major droughts.

Lungu also took a swipe at Hichilema’s foreign policy, accusing the president of isolating Zambia from its neighbors.

“Because he [Hichilema] wants to appear smarter than everyone else, the country is isolated and that’s why we can’t secure power imports like we did,” he added.

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