Citizen First party claims shift in support base from ruling UPND, Patroitic Front

Citizen First (CF) Copperbelt Province spokesperson, Billy Simuyemba, has urged the ruling United Party for National Development (UPND) to stop living in “fool’s paradise” as it reportedly faces a shift in its 2021 support base.

In a statement on Saturday, Simuyemba cautioned that clinging to the political victories of 2021 would be a mistake in a rapidly changing political landscape.

“The dynamics of Zambia’s electorate have shifted significantly, leaving the UPND and the Patriotic Front (PF) struggling to maintain their once-formidable bases,” Simuyemba said.

He claimed that as dissatisfaction with the ruling parties grows, CF is emerging as a fresh alternative, poised to reshape Zambia’s political future.

“UPND’s historic 2.8 million votes and the PF’s 1.8 million in 2021 now appear to be relics of a bygone era,” Simuyemba asserted.

Simuyemba attributed the weakening of both parties to mismanagement, economic challenges, and internal divisions.

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He further noted that the PF, plagued by factionalism and leadership crises, had lost its appeal, leaving many of its supporters disillusioned and seeking a viable alternative.

On the other hand, he criticized the UPND for failing to address the economic hardships faced by ordinary Zambians despite initiatives like free education.

“This growing dissatisfaction has sparked a mass exodus of support, redirecting the political tide toward the CF,” Simuyemba said.

He emphasized that CF, under the leadership of Harry Kalaba, had positioned itself as the fastest-growing opposition party in Zambia.

“Kalaba’s strategic departure from the Democratic Party (DP) and the formation of CF demonstrate his commitment to providing a clear and actionable vision for the nation,” he said.

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